The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after 53 years of authoritarian rule marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice, peace, and human rights. While this transition opens the door to new possibilities, it also underscores the immense challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead. The Assad regime’s actions have torn at the very fabric of Syrian society, leaving a legacy of atrocities and widespread suffering. Today, Syrians stand at the dawn of a new chapter for their country—one that is filled with both hope and profound challenges.
The 14 years of war have devastated Syria, destroying infrastructure, displacing millions, and causing incalculable suffering. The resilience of the Syrian people is remarkable, but the challenges ahead demand recognition of their experiences and a firm commitment to ensuring their voices and rights are central to any transition. Overlooking victims’ experiences risks compromising the legitimacy of the process and fostering further instability.
The recent release of prisoners across Syria, including from Sednaya—one of the world’s most notorious prisons—has added urgency to the justice and accountability process. Families, many of whom have been searching for answers about their loved ones for years or decades, now face an opportunity for truth and redress. This moment calls for coordinated international action to address victims’ immediate needs and to establish mechanisms for a long-term and comprehensive transitional justice framework. Addressing the legacies of the Assad regime’s systemic brutality is essential for creating a sustainable and peaceful path forward.
Since 2014, ICTJ has been steadfast in supporting Syrian civil society and victims. Our efforts have focused on documenting human rights violations, advocating for justice and accountability, and building the capacity of civil society to advance sustainable peace and an inclusive democracy in Syria. This long-awaited moment for transition reflects the culmination of these sustained and collaborative efforts.
Over the years, we have worked closely with Syrian civil organizations, including our esteemed partners in the “Bridges of Truth” project, to explore innovative uses of documentation, such as recording attacks on educational institutions and amplifying the voices of families of the disappeared. Bridges of Truth is an ICTJ-led collaborative initiative, involving eight civil society organizations dedicated to addressing the issues of the disappeared, the missing, and their families in Syria. These organizations have been working together for years to raise awareness about the plight of Syrian victims and to advocate for justice and accountability. The member organizations include Badael, Center for Civil Society and Democracy, Dawlaty, Lawyers and Doctors for Human Rights, Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, Syrian Institute for Justice, and The Day After.
ICTJ has also supported mental health and psychosocial support initiatives to address the profound psychological toll of the conflict on Syrians. Our research has underscored the urgent need for information about the whereabouts of detainees, facilitated access to justice for their families, and supported initiatives to address the psychological toll of the conflict. Additionally, we have worked to illuminate the justice needs of displaced Syrians and the conditions necessary for their safe and voluntary return to a peaceful Syria.
In collaboration with the High Negotiations Commission and the Civil Society Constitutional Committee, ICTJ has explored the foundations for a new constitution and legal framework, ensuring that victims’ rights and transitional justice measures are prioritized. These efforts included exploring constitutional provisions that guarantee fundamental rights and promote inclusivity, justice, and accountability, and designing a framework to transition from authoritarianism and conflict to democracy and peace.
Our advocacy on international platforms, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, has emphasized the importance of Syrian civil society’s participation in shaping the country’s future. Through these efforts, we have ensured that Syrian voices are heard and that their demands for justice are central to international discussions.
The tireless efforts of Syrian civil society, family associations, and international partners over the past decade have positioned them as key players in the transition. Their work is critical in preventing a relapse into violence or the emergence of new conflicts. Now is the time to build on these efforts—to document crimes, pursue justice for victims, advance truth-telling, repair harm, build trust, and ensure good governance. Preventing the recurrence of abuses and conflict must remain a shared priority. Their work and their role are more important than ever, and so is the support and accompaniment that the international community must provide.
The risks of inaction are clear. A poorly executed transition could deepen societal divisions, embolden authoritarian actors, and perpetuate conflict. The lessons of the past 14 years underscore the need for a principled and pragmatic approach that upholds human rights, fosters genuine reconciliation, and respects the rule of law. The international community must act decisively to support Syria on its path to truth, justice, and reconciliation.
ICTJ remains committed to working alongside local and international stakeholders to ensure a peaceful transition that addresses security threats, respects victims’ rights, and lays the foundation for a brighter future for all Syrians. We call on the international community and civil society to join this historic effort. Together, we can ensure that Syria’s transition leads to lasting peace, justice, and reconciliation.
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PHOTO: Syrians celebrate the fall of Assad regime in the streets of Damascus on December 13, 2024. (Hussein Alioui)
