Damascus, Feb. 22 (SANA) Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais affirmed that General Amnesty Decree No. 39 of 2026, issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, represents an urgent necessity dictated by the complex legal and legislative realities inherited from the outed regime. The Minister highlighted the need to address severe prison overcrowding and the massive accumulation of judicial files dating back to the previous era.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, al-Wais stated that the decree was formulated to resolve these structural burdens within a clear constitutional and legal framework
“The decree entered into force immediately upon its issuance. Judicial cadres and specialized committees were mobilized instantly,” the Minister said, noting that more than 1,500 individuals have been released to date. He expects this number to rise steadily as cases currently in the preliminary investigation stages complete their legal processes.
The Minister revealed that more than 500,000 Syrians will benefit from the removal of effects from arbitrary sentences issued by the ousted regime, particularly those involving political charges such as “undermining the prestige of the state” or fabricated terrorism labels. He further disclosed that over eight million restrictive measures taken by the ousted regime against citizens have been identified, with a significant portion already rescinded.
Regarding the decree’s constitutionality, the Minister clarified that it aligns with Syrian penal law and established constitutional norms, particularly given the current legislative transition. He stressed that the amnesty is both comprehensive and precise, strictly excluding any individuals involved in bloodshed or violations against the Syrian people.
On the reform of the judicial institution, the Minister outlined ongoing efforts to bolster judicial independence, modernize infrastructure through digitalization, and refine the oversight role of the Judicial Inspection Department.
Touching upon transitional justice, al-Wais described the path as a balanced national process—neither vengeful nor dismissive of violations. He revealed that 2026 will see the launch of public and transparent trials once all evidence is finalized. Furthermore, the Minister disclosed documented records from the ousted regime’s field courts showing over 96,000 cases of execution or death under torture, data which has been shared with the National Authority for the Missing to assist families in discovering the fate of their loved ones.
