The downfall of the Assad regime represents a pivotal moment that will be remembered in history as the disintegration of one of the most oppressive dictatorships of our era. The regime’s tyranny, enabled and amplified by the complicity of regional and international allies, devastated a nation and cost hundreds of thousands of lives with total impunity. The collapse of Assad’s rule is the result of the Syrian people’s enduring will to reclaim their freedom.
In 2011, the Assad regime’s response to dissent and the initially peaceful uprising was a campaign of terror: the use of chemical weapons against its own people, widespread torture, and the reduction of entire cities to rubble. The civil war that ensued created a vacuum filled by extremist groups such as ISIS, further compounding the suffering of civilians. The harrowing scenes of thousands of prisoners liberated from Assad’s dungeons of death and torture stand as a chilling testament to the brutality of his regime and the one of his father. Our hearts are with the families reuniting with loved ones who endured unimaginable suffering for decades, as well as with those still searching for answers about the fate of their missing.
“The fall of the Assad regime is not just a victory for Syria but a reminder that tyranny is fragile and crumbles when confronted by the unwavering will of the people. Peace and unity must now take center stage. The transitional government should incorporate the proposals of Syrian human rights groups into a comprehensive national transitional justice plan to ensure the long term stability of the country,” said Ziad Abdeltawab, Deputy Director of CIHRS.
Reconstructing the social fabric torn apart by the Syrian regime and years of civil war is essential. Syrian warring factions need to work together to reform the state’s crumbled institutions and take concrete steps to rebuild trust and lay the foundations for long-term peace and stability. In this endeavor, the Syrian people can count on civil society organizations and humanitarian workers, who risked their lives to save others and document the truth. They are the cornerstone of Syria’s recovery. The atrocities committed against civilians in Syria demand to be addressed during the upcoming transitional period. Negotiations over Syria’s new permanent constitution must take place within a consultative process taking into account the needs of all Syrians without discrimination. To achieve this, human rights law, as enshrined in the international human rights conventions, should serve as the foundational framework for any legal documents adopted by the transitional authorities.
While some armed factions played a pivotal role in liberating Syria from the Assad regime’s oppression, their questionable past and involvement in atrocities during the civil war cast a shadow on Syria’s future. These groups bear a responsibility to break with the legacy of sectarianism that has scarred the nation for decades. Their recent commitments to protect minorities are encouraging and mark a step towards reconciliation. Concrete actions, such as enacting laws and regulations to safeguard the rights of all Syrians—regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation—are essential. Additionally, renouncing further violence, demobilizing armed militias, and opening the door for peaceful political dialogue are indispensable for achieving a lasting peace.
The destructive military interference of foreign powers including regional powers has caused further harm. They have stoked sectarian tensions for their own ends, prolonging the Syrian people’s agony. It is time for these actors to step back and to allow Syrians to chart their own future. Foreign powers illegally occupying Syrian territory must withdraw immediately in accordance with relevant Security Council Resolutions.
The transitional authorities in Syria must grant unhindered access to both Syrian and International humanitarian and human rights organizations, ensuring they can reach all Syrian territories, and perform visits to lawful and unlawful detention places. Additionally, the transitional government and all militia groups must immediately and fully cooperate with the UNHRC-established Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIIM) and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria with a view to helping with the necessary accountability process.
Since the onset of the conflict, over 14 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, with more than 6.6 million seeking refuge abroad. These refugees have endured immense hardships, including inadequate shelter, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services. While refugees have the right to return voluntarily, forcing them back to an unstable Syria violates international law.
“The fall of the Assad regime is not the end of Syria’s struggle but the beginning of a new chapter —one that can only succeed if the warring parties are truly willing to take their fingers off the trigger, embrace human rights as shared foundation in all negotiations, and respect all Syrians regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender, political orientation and economic status. The international community must honor the resilience of the Syrian people by providing steadfast support for the transitional process, free from the destructive military interference that has marred the past 13 years,” added Abdeltawab.
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