The Syrian Future Movement welcomes the Syrian government’s announcement of the abolition of exceptional courts. It considers this step—despite its delay—a positive indicator of the beginning of a long-awaited transformation toward reforming the judicial system and enshrining the rule of law in the new Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that exceptional courts were among the most prominent tools of political repression, human rights violations, and the perpetuation of a culture of impunity. For decades, they constituted an obstacle to justice and a constant source of fear and injustice in the minds of Syrians.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the abolition of these courts should not be understood as a favor from the authorities, but rather as a long-overdue national entitlement and a popular and legal demand long advocated by revolutionary and opposition forces, human rights organizations, and the families of victims and detainees.
The Syrian Future Movement stresses that this step, despite its symbolic nature, will not be complete unless it is accompanied by practical and fundamental measures, including:
- The abolition of parallel courts, most notably the Terrorism Court and the politically motivated military courts.
- The immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, including those in Idlib Governorate.
- The reopening of past human rights violations and the holding of those responsible accountable within the framework of transitional justice.
- The restructuring of the judiciary to guarantee its complete independence from the executive and security branches.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that building a state of institutions cannot be achieved without an independent, impartial, and effective judiciary, where judges are sovereign in their decisions, and citizens are assured of fair trials, transparent procedures, and equality before the law for all, without discrimination or exception.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for the formation of an independent national body for transitional justice, comprising representatives of victims, honorable judges, and civil society organizations. Its mission would be to oversee the reform of the judicial system, provide reparations, uncover the truth, and ensure that violations are not repeated.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that justice is a fundamental pillar of any genuine national reconciliation and the basis for building a new social contract that ends decades of tyranny and establishes a democratic, pluralistic Syria that respects human dignity and rights.
The Syrian Future Movement renews its commitment to working with all sincere national forces to consolidate the rule of law, build fair national institutions that serve the people, not as a tool to oppress them, restore trust between the citizen and the state, and pave the way towards a future worthy of the sacrifices of the Syrians.
