Syria’s Transitional Justice: National path toward truth, justice and rule of law

After decades of rule by the deposed regime and the grave human rights violations committed during that period, transitional justice has emerged as a central national pathway for addressing the legacy of the past, uncovering the truth, delivering justice to victims, and holding perpetrators accountable, while laying the foundations for a future based on rights, freedoms, justice, and the rule of law.

As Syria enters a new phase in its modern history, transitional justice is increasingly viewed as one of the most significant mechanisms capable of addressing the legacy of widespread violations and managing the transition toward a state built on institutions, accountability, and legal governance.

The process seeks to reinforce guarantees of non-recurrence, prevent a return to repressive practices associated with the ousted regime, and establish the foundations of a modern state based on citizenship, equality, justice, and respect for human dignity.

What is transitional justice?

Transitional justice is not revenge or an attempt to overcome the past, but rather represents an integrated national path that helps Syrian society to address the effects of the conflict and the violations committed by the deposed regime during its years of rule, to reveal the truth about what happened, and to strengthen guarantees that such violations will not be repeated in the future. It is based on a set of interconnected steps aimed at supporting victims, restoring trust among Syrians, and establishing the rule of law.

Establishment of National Transitional Justice Authority

As part of efforts to strengthen this process, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 20 on May 17, 2025, establishing the National Transitional Justice Authority as an independent body with legal, financial, and administrative autonomy operating across Syrian territory.

Under the decree, Authority head Abdul Basit Abdul Latif was tasked with forming a working team and drafting the commission’s internal regulations within 30 days of the announcement.

Three months later, Decree No. 149, issued on 25 August, formally appointed the commission’s members.
Core principles of transitional justice

Transitional justice in Syria is founded on several key principles, foremost among them human dignity as a supreme value that must not be violated under any circumstances.

The framework also emphasizes the right to truth as an inherent right for victims, their families, and society as a whole, ensuring the documentation of serious violations and the preservation of collective memory from distortion or erasure.

The process further stresses that justice for grave human rights violations is not subject to statutes of limitations and that accountability remains essential to combating impunity and reinforcing the rule of law.

Transitional justice also aims to promote societal reconciliation through acknowledgement of past abuses and efforts to rebuild trust among Syria’s social components on fair and stable foundations.

Main tracks of transitional justice

The National Transitional Justice Authority announced six interconnected tracks:

• Truth-seeking and investigations into violations, including determining the fate of missing persons through an independent national mechanism.

• Legal accountability and prosecution of those involved in grave violations through independent and impartial courts.

• Reparations and recognition of victims, including material, psychological, and social compensation.
• National reconciliation through comprehensive dialogue involving all sectors of society.

• Institutional reform and guarantees of non-repetition through transparent governance and rights-based public institutions.

• Preserving national memory, documenting the narrative of victims, and preventing the obliteration of truth are all part of protecting society.

Key objectives

• Revealing the truth about violations committed under the deposed regime.
• Documenting violations and victims in line with international standards.
• Achieving justice and legal accountability.
• Providing reparations to victims.
• Advancing national reconciliation.
• Preserving national memory.
• Preventing future violations.

During a United Nations Security Council meeting on Syria held on Friday, several international representatives voiced support for Syria’s transitional justice efforts and broader political and economic recovery process.

Syria’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council, Ibrahim Olabi, stated that transitional justice remains one of the central pillars of the “new Syria”, noting that public trials have already begun for a number of individuals accused of committing grave violations against Syrians.

MHD