The Syrian Future Movement warmly and deeply welcomes the signing of the prisoner transfer agreement between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese Republic, which took place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Government Palace in Beirut. The signing ceremony was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, and Lebanese Minister of Justice Adel Nassar, representing the Lebanese side, and Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar Al-Wais, representing the Syrian side.
The agreement facilitates the transfer of prisoners from the country of sentencing to their country of nationality to complete their sentences. It will directly lead to the transfer of more than 300 Syrian prisoners from Lebanese prisons to Syria, with implementation beginning Saturday morning.
The Syrian Future Movement considers this agreement a significant humanitarian and legal achievement, culminating months of joint efforts between experts and judges in both countries. It represents a crucial step towards addressing a complex and long-standing issue concerning the situation of thousands of Syrians in Lebanese prisons, including those who have served long sentences (more than 10 years, equivalent to approximately 7 years of actual imprisonment in some cases). We see this development as reflecting a shared political will to restructure bilateral relations on the foundations of mutual trust, respect, and judicial and security cooperation.
The Syrian Future Movement highlights the multiple positive dimensions of this achievement:
- The first humanitarian dimension is the return of convicts to their homeland, enabling them to serve the remainder of their sentences near their families, in conditions more aligned with their culture, language, and family support. This alleviates prolonged suffering and contributes to their social rehabilitation.
- The second dimension is the strengthening of national and judicial sovereignty, as the agreement establishes the principle of transferring enforcement to the country of nationality and paves the way for additional agreements encompassing detainees of all categories, addressing a comprehensive file that includes over 2,200 Syrian cases in Lebanon.
- The third dimension is a strategic step towards regional stability, representing a model of constructive cooperation between the two brotherly countries during Syria’s recovery phase following political changes. It contributes to building bridges of trust and resolving outstanding issues, thereby strengthening shared security and positive relations.
The Syrian Future Movement recognizes that this step, while important, remains part of a broader process that requires swift and transparent completion, adhering to legal and humanitarian standards, and ensuring that no detainee is subjected to violations or unfair treatment after transfer. Implementation must also be accompanied by joint monitoring mechanisms and psychological and social support for those involved and their families.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the Syrian government and relevant authorities to:
- Expedite the formation of joint committees to monitor the implementation of the agreement and prepare the supplementary agreement concerning detainees, while ensuring transparency and continuous communication with families.
- Establish a national program for the rehabilitation and reintegration of released detainees, including psychological support, vocational training, and legal assistance to restore their rights.
- Expand judicial cooperation with Lebanon and other Arab countries to address the cases of Syrians in regional prisons, within the framework of transitional justice and national reconciliation.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its commitment to supporting every effort that restores dignity to Syrian citizens and strengthens national unity and sound regional relations, calling on all parties to continue along this path to achieve a stable, just, and reconciled Syria with its neighbors.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the issue of Syrian prisoners was one of our top priorities. We dedicated a research table to it in a meeting of the cadres and members of the Syrian Future Movement immediately after the liberation, at the National Action Workshop, in the heart of the capital, Damascus. A number of recommendations were issued as a result, in addition to several statements that we were keen to issue in support of them and in support of their just cause, and our national duty towards them.
