The Syrian Future Movement is following with cautious welcome and deep interest the announcement by the Criminal Investigation Department that it has removed more than 270,000 arrest warrants issued by the military judiciary, in implementation of Presidential Amnesty Decree No. 39 of 2026. This decree covers crimes committed before March 8, 2024, with the exception of serious felonies and those involved in human rights violations.
According to official information and security sources, the Syrian Future Movement believes that the majority of these warrants relate to cases dating back to the armed conflict and have political or revolutionary undertones. Many of these cases were framed under criminal classifications (such as drug use, theft, etc.) despite their actual connection to opposition activities, defection, or participation in the revolutionary movement. It has also been reported that more than half a million Syrians are expected to benefit from the scope of the amnesty, with 1,500 people having been released so far under the decree.
The Syrian Future Movement views this step as an important and positive opportunity to address the accumulation of unjust legal injustices over the years and to alleviate the burden on thousands of Syrian families who have suffered from political persecution and unfair sentences.
However, the Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of these measures being part of a comprehensive and transparent transitional justice process that goes beyond simply dropping arrest warrants. This process must include:
- A comprehensive and independent review of all legal cases related to the previous period, including those not covered by the current amnesty, to ensure that no remaining political or selective prosecutions continue.
- The expedited release of all remaining political and revolutionary detainees, while guaranteeing fair and transparent trials for any genuine criminal cases, in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law standards.
- Strengthening the independence of the judiciary and removing those involved in human rights violations from the judicial and security systems, along with the publication of regular public reports on the progress of the “purification” and accountability process.
- Establishing compensation and rehabilitation mechanisms for victims of past persecution, including the restoration of civil, employment, and social rights, and facilitating the return of displaced persons and expatriates without fear of renewed persecution.
- Involving civil society organizations and victims in monitoring the implementation of the amnesty and shaping future judicial policies to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated and to build genuine trust in the new state.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that ending the era of “unjust charges” and politically motivated arrest warrants is a fundamental step towards a state of law and equal citizenship. However, true success depends on transforming these measures into profound institutional reforms that guarantee the non-return of tyranny in any form.
We also call on the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of these measures with full transparency, and we urge the international community to provide technical and legal support to strengthen the transitional justice process in Syria.
