May 17, 2025 — In a statement released Friday, Amnesty International called on Syria’s newly established government to address the country’s legacy of human rights violations through a comprehensive agenda of justice, truth, and reparation. The appeal comes amid hopes that the political transition, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, could mark a turning point in the nation’s troubled history.
The organization outlined a series of urgent recommendations, delivered to the Syrian authorities on April 14, that include:
- Providing reparations to survivors of abuses and victims’ families
- Ensuring accountability for perpetrators through criminal proceedings
- Supporting efforts to locate the missing and forcibly disappeared
- Overhauling the security sector and criminal justice system
To date, Amnesty International has not received a response from the government.
“It is crucial for the authorities to rebuild trust between the people in Syria and the state,” said Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“Delaying justice will only heighten the risk of further bloodshed such as the recent mass killing of Alawite civilians in the coastal areas of Syria… It is essential that the authorities, without any delay, ensure that all those suspected of criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and enforced disappearance are brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts, in accordance with international law.”
Legacy of Abuse
The recommendations are grounded in Amnesty’s extensive documentation of human rights violations from 2011 to 2024, primarily under the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, as well as abuses committed by other actors in the conflict. These include:
- Government allies, such as Russia
- Armed groups opposed to the regime and their ally Turkey
- Kurdish-led de facto authorities and associated forces
Amnesty noted that the new government has a historic opportunity to mark a clean break with the past and demonstrate genuine commitment to human rights and international law.
Response to Recent Atrocities
The call for reform follows the mass killing of Alawite civilians in Syria’s coastal regions in March 2025. Amnesty International concluded that pro-government militias deliberately targeted civilians from the minority group. The new administration, however, attributed the violence to an attack by “remnants of the former regime” and announced the creation of a fact-finding committee to investigate.
In a public statement, the Syrian government expressed its willingness to cooperate with human rights organizations and reiterated its support for international accountability efforts aimed at investigating crimes committed during the Assad era.
Amnesty stated that how the new leadership handles these initiatives will serve as a vital indicator of the country’s direction and could set a key precedent for broader justice and reconciliation efforts.
“The new government has an opportunity to ensure a break with the past,” Amnesty emphasized.
“It must take bold, transparent steps to uphold the rule of law, guarantee civil rights, and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.”
Political Transition and the Path Forward
The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, following a rebel breach of Damascus and the president’s subsequent exile, ended 53 years of family rule in Syria. The regime had long been accused of crimes such as torture, enforced disappearances, and mass civilian targeting.
Since then, international rights organizations and UN officials have called for an inclusive political framework, rule of law, and urgent humanitarian support to prevent further destabilization.
Excerpts from JURIST reporting by Lowri Thomas | NYU School of Law, US
