BEIRUT (AP) — The Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, stated on Saturday that the new authorities in Syria have demonstrated a commitment to reform, transitional justice, and reconciliation, though democracy remains insufficiently developed. After a year following the downfall of President Bashar Assad’s regime, Callamard, who visited Damascus recently, pointed out that the introduction of legal reform plans, the establishment of transitional justice committees, and the welcoming of international human rights organizations signify a positive shift in the Syrian landscape.
During her interview with The Associated Press, Callamard acknowledged these developments as encouraging but noted that they lack depth. Her calls for comment to Syrian officials went unanswered. Following the collapse of Assad's government, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria continues to grapple with instability. Reports indicate that government-aligned forces have been implicated in sectarian violence targeting the country’s Druze and Alawite minorities, particularly in the coastal region and the southern province of Sweida, resulting in hundreds of fatalities.
The state has reportedly formed investigative committees to address the atrocities committed against the Druze in Sweida, and trials for those implicated in coastal violence commenced last week. Over the past year, numerous officials from the Assad era have been detained, with impending trials expected for charges related to longstanding human rights violations in Syria.
Callamard relayed that Syrian officials, including the Minister of Justice, informed her that hundreds of detainees are currently held concerning abuses linked to the former regime. She emphasized the need for clarity regarding the legal basis for these arrests and the judicial process that will follow. She pointed out that the existing legal framework necessitates urgent reform, as some of the most egregious crimes under international law remain inadequately addressed within national laws.
During her discussions with representatives from the National Commission on Transitional Justice and the National Commission for the Missing, Callamard noted the ongoing process of collecting evidence from prisons associated with the Assad era, highlighting that this endeavor will be protracted and gradual. Contrasting Syria’s situation with that of Ukraine, where European nations have formed teams to aid local authorities in investigating war crimes, Callamard highlighted the absence of similar international support for Syria, calling for greater engagement from the international community.
She articulated the urgent need for the international community to respond to the demands for change from the Syrian populace. Despite a lack of substantial action from international actors, she praised several grassroots civil society organizations for their role in gathering evidence within the country. Callamard expressed concern that, without enhanced international support, the reforms currently underway in Syria might not be sustainable.
In a related political development, Syria recently conducted its first parliamentary elections since the fall of Assad, albeit without a direct popular vote. The electoral process allowed two-thirds of the 210-member assembly seats to be filled through province-specific electoral colleges, based on population, while the remaining one-third will be appointed by Al-Sharaa. The newly formed parliament is set to serve a 30-month term and will prepare for future elections.
