Damascus, June 17 (SANA) More than a decade into the war, the widespread violations, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and mass atrocities committed under the ousted regime have left deep scars on Syrian society. Today, many Syrians yearn for justice and accountability.
Amid the victims’ demands for accountability and redress, and the urgent need to protect civil peace and social cohesion, transitional justice has emerged as a legal framework capable of reconciling justice and stability, while laying the foundations for a state based on citizenship where there is no place for impunity.
Syrian legal experts and political analysts confirmed to SANA that accountability must be achieved through clear legal procedures based on investigations, evidence gathering, and documentation, ensuring fair trials and due process. They noted that the arrest of thousands of individuals accused of committing violations, including hundreds of military officers, and their referral to the judiciary, reflects Syria’s commitment to the rule of law.
Documentation: The Cornerstone of Accountability
The head of the Syrian Bar Association, Muhammad Ali al-Tawil, affirmed that the principle of “no punishment without evidence, and no conviction without a fair trial” remains the cornerstone of any credible judicial system.
Al-Tawil stated, “True justice cannot be achieved through revenge, retaliation, or false accusations. Accountability based on evidence, legal safeguards, and due process guarantees justice for victims, protects the rights of the accused, and enhances the legitimacy and credibility of judicial rulings both domestically and internationally.”
He explained that hasty proceedings or cases lacking sufficient evidence can lead to rulings subject to appeal, challenge, or scrutiny, potentially undermining victims’ rights and public confidence in the judicial process.
Al-Tawil further emphasized that the professional documentation of evidence and witness testimonies is the fundamental pillar of effective prosecutions. He added that mechanisms for protecting witnesses and victims are indispensable for encouraging testimony and ensuring personal safety throughout judicial proceedings. National Reconciliation Based on Justice
According to Al-Tawil, the establishment of the National Commission for Transitional Justice represents a significant institutional step reflecting the state’s commitment to addressing the legacy of human rights violations through a comprehensive legal framework.
The Commission is expected to operate independently and transparently, coordinating efforts related to accountability, truth-seeking, and reparations, thereby supporting national reconciliation based on justice.
He noted that the detention of thousands of suspects, including senior military officers, and the referral of some to court, demonstrates the seriousness of efforts to combat impunity and establish equality before the law.
Public Trials Enhance Transparency
Al-Tawil described public trials as a fundamental guarantee of transparency, enabling citizens to follow judicial proceedings and verify that the rights of all parties are respected.
He emphasized that justice must be based on individual criminal responsibility, not collective blame, warning that linking crimes to specific groups or affiliations could threaten civil peace and deepen social divisions.
Reparations and Truth-Finding
Al-Tawil pointed out that achieving a balance between victims’ rights and social stability requires a comprehensive transitional justice process that ensures fair accountability while rejecting revenge and promoting societal reconciliation.
He argued that criminal trials alone are insufficient to achieve transitional justice. Reparations help restore victims’ dignity, while truth-finding initiatives document violations and preserve society’s right to know. Preserving national memory also serves as a safeguard against denial and helps prevent future generations from repeating the tragedies of the past.
He added that transitional justice processes typically take between five and fifteen years, or more, depending on the scale and complexity of the violations, making patience, political will, and sufficient resources essential for success.
War Crimes Do Not Exceed Limitations
Al-Tawil emphasized that war crimes and crimes against humanity are not subject to statutes of limitations and should not be protected by amnesty measures. He delivered a clear message that accountability will ultimately prevail and that impunity will not be tolerated in the new Syria.
Accelerating Transitional Justice
Jumaa Mohammad Lahib, Director of Research and Studies at the Syrian Future Movement, described transitional justice as a national necessity and the only viable path toward compensating victims, uncovering the truth, holding perpetrators accountable and advancing national reconciliation.
He said decades of authoritarian rule and accumulated violations can only be addressed through an organized and institutionalized transitional justice process capable of preventing a slide into revenge or disorder.
While public anger over past abuses is understandable and legitimate, Lahib argued that the challenge lies in reconciling these sentiments with the requirements of state stability.
He welcomed the government’s ongoing measures, including public trials and legal proceedings against senior figures associated with the ousted regime, and stressed the importance of sustaining and accelerating those efforts.
Scale of Violations Presents Major Challenges
Political researcher and university professor Abdul Rahman Al-Haj said that although transitional justice remains essential, it faces significant challenges arising from the scale of atrocities, the large number of individuals implicated and the social divisions associated with the conflict, as well as broader reconstruction and recovery needs.
He warned that the slow pace of justice could leave some victims dissatisfied, particularly when accountability appears focused primarily on senior figures while letting the remnants of the ousted regime live normal lives has contributed to fueling popular anger.
“The state alone should exercise the authority to administer accountability,” he said, stressing the importance of public participation in planning and oversight.
Thousands in grip of law
The Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that thousands of military and security officials affiliated with the deposed regime have been detained, including one officer holding the rank of General, 42 Major Generals, 172 Brigadier Generals, 218 Colonels, 112 Lieutenant Colonels and 73 Majors.
The ministry also reported the arrest of thousands accused of committing violations and crimes against Syrians, including Amjad Youssef, who is accused of involvement in the Tadamon massacre, and Brigadier General Atef Najib, former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa in 2011.
MHD
