External funding of associations without official approval

The Syrian Future Movement is following with deep concern the statements issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in the Damascus government, published on October 2, 2025, which included a warning to non-governmental organizations operating in Syria against receiving any foreign funding without prior official approval, based on Law No. 93 of 1958.

The Syrian Future Movement believes that this warning, which came in the context of an official statement threatening strict legal measures against organizations that violate these instructions, reflects a renewed trend toward restricting civil society space and confirms the authorities’ continued use of outdated legislative tools to restrict civil society work, rather than updating them to align with international standards for freedom of association and civic participation.

The Syrian Future Movement believes that the implications of this decision are:

• Relying on a law dating back more than six decades, amidst radical social, political, and economic changes, reflects the lack of political will to develop the legal environment governing civil society work.
• Linking foreign funding to vague concepts such as “public interest” and “national unity” opens the door to security and political interpretations and grants official bodies broad powers to interfere in the work of associations or dissolve them.
• The timing of this warning, amid a stifling economic crisis and the government’s inability to provide basic services, raises questions about the true motives behind it, especially since many associations rely on foreign funding to implement vital humanitarian and relief projects.

The Syrian Future Movement believes that the risks of this decision include:

• Undermining the independence of civil society, as requiring prior approval for foreign funding places associations under direct supervision and limits their ability to build international partnerships or implement independent projects.
• Weakening the humanitarian response, as declining government support threatens the continuity of projects that provide essential services to citizens, particularly in the areas of health, education, and relief.
• Politicizing civil society work, as using the law as a tool to liquidate associations that do not align with official directions, fosters an unsafe environment for civil society work and undermines citizens’ confidence in local institutions.

Based on our commitment in the Syrian Future Movement to building a healthy civil state that respects rights and freedoms, we recommend the following:

1. Abolish Law No. 93 of 1958 and replace it with a modern law that guarantees freedom of association and civil society work, and sets transparent controls for funding without political interference.
2. Establish an independent body to regulate civil society work, independent of the executive authority, including representatives of civil society, and operating according to international standards.
3. Guarantee the right of associations to receive foreign funding within a clear legal framework, ensuring transparency and preventing corruption without restricting independence.
4. Call upon international organizations to monitor the legal environment for civil society work in Syria and condition any support to the Syrian government on ensuring the freedom of civil society.
5. Encourage national dialogue on the role of non-governmental organizations, viewing them as essential partners in rebuilding Syrian society, rather than political opponents.

The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that building a future Syria requires a legal and societal environment that guarantees freedom of organization and participation and elevates civil society as a pillar of development and stability. Continued restrictions on this space will only lead to further isolation and resentment, and undermine the chances of genuine national recovery.