The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the protest held by residents and farmers of the Al-Bajaj, Al-Saboura, and Qudsaya farms on Friday, August 28, 2026, in front of the People’s Assembly building in Damascus. The protesters demanded the repeal of the expropriation and old rent laws, most of which date back to the Ba’ath Party era and the former regime.
The organizers obtained official approval from the Internal Security Forces in Damascus Governorate to hold the protest, according to a permit document reviewed by Syria TV.
The Syrian Future Movement commends this peaceful expression of opinion, which took place within a legal framework and with prior approval from the relevant authorities. This embodies a healthy exercise of the right to peaceful protest and the expression of legitimate demands, thus strengthening the culture of dialogue and community participation in the new state.
We see the demands of the protesters, which focused on rejecting the expropriation and old rent laws dating back to the era of the former regime, as just and legitimate demands that express the genuine suffering endured by thousands of Syrians for decades as a result of the discriminatory and exclusionary policies practiced by the state against its citizens.
However, the Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that this demonstration, despite its importance, is only the beginning of a journey, and that the real challenge lies in translating these demands into concrete legislative and legal measures that guarantee justice for those affected, rectify a historical injustice, and establish a just legal system that protects the rights of all Syrians to their land and property.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the sit-in by residents of the al-Bajaj, al-Saboura, and Qudsaya farms carries three main implications:
First: It embodies the right to peaceful expression in the new state. The organizers obtaining official permission for the sit-in, and adhering to its conditions regarding duration (two hours), location (in front of the People’s Assembly), and permitted slogans, proves that the new state treats the right to peaceful protest as a constitutional and legal right, not as a threat to security or stability. We see this development as a positive indicator of the consolidation of the principles of a civil state based on law and rights.
Second: It highlights the continued suffering of citizens from the legacy of the former regime. We note that the demands raised by the protesters, namely the repeal of expropriation and old rent laws, stem from unjust legislation enacted by the Ba’ath Party regime. This regime used these laws as tools for discrimination, exclusion, and the seizure of citizens’ property. We consider the continued application of these laws a heavy burden that must be overcome, and a true test of the new state’s ability to break the cycle of policies perpetuated by the ousted regime.
Third: The need for a comprehensive review of unjust legislation, as the expropriation and old rent laws are part of a broader legislative system that served the interests of the former regime at the expense of citizens’ rights. We believe this stance sends a clear message to the People’s Assembly and the government about the necessity of expediting the review and repeal of these laws, replacing them with just legislation that guarantees the protection of property rights and establishes the principles of justice and transparency in dealing with citizens’ properties and lands.
In this context, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates its firm positions, published on its official website, which emphasize the priority of reforming unjust legislation and protecting property rights as a fundamental pillar for building the new state:
- Statement from the “State Property Review Campaign” (dated August 4, 2026): Commended the efforts of the State Property Authority in reviewing properties and stressed that reviewing state properties is part of a broader reform process that includes private property files, illegal seizures, and real estate disputes.
- A study titled “The Expropriation Crisis in Tell: Towards Real Estate Justice in Syria” (dated October 27, 2025) discussed the legal and administrative problems that accompanied expropriation processes in Syria. It called for a comprehensive review of Expropriation Law No. 20 of 1983 and for ensuring fair compensation for those affected.
- A statement regarding the “Ain Menin Events” (dated August 3, 2026) emphasized the importance of community dialogue and mechanisms for peaceful protest in resolving local disputes. This principle was embodied in the demonstrations held by the residents of Mazraat al-Bajaj, al-Saboura, and Qudsaya.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- The swift formation of an independent national committee to review expropriation and old rent laws. This committee should include legal and judicial experts, as well as representatives of those affected and civil society, to submit fair legislative proposals that guarantee the protection of property rights, compensate those harmed by unjust expropriation procedures, and repeal all discriminatory legislation inherited from the former regime.
- Enacting new legislation to regulate expropriation processes, ensuring transparency and fairness, establishing the principle of fair and prior compensation before any expropriation procedures begin, granting those affected the right to effective judicial appeal, and ending the legal instability plaguing the real estate and land sector in Syria.
- Addressing the issue of long-term tenants fairly through legislation that balances the rights of landlords and tenants, ending the stagnation caused by old rent laws, and providing practical and humane solutions for the most vulnerable groups, without creating further injustice for property owners.
- Launching a national awareness campaign on property rights to inform citizens of their legal rights to their land and property, the mechanisms for claiming these rights, and the available channels for redress. This will strengthen the culture of law and citizenship and contribute to building a new relationship between the state and its citizens based on mutual trust and respect.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates this peaceful demonstration, which expressed the legitimate demands of a broad segment of the population, and emphasizes the need to seriously address these demands and translate them into concrete legislative and legal measures.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that reforming expropriation and old rent laws is a moral and national duty, and a true test of the new state’s commitment to the principles of justice and equity, and its ability to turn the page on decades of injustice.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that protecting property rights The dignity of citizens is a fundamental pillar for building the new Syria, and responding to the demands of the protesters is an investment in building trust between the state and its citizens, and an embodiment of the principle of equal citizenship.
For its part, the Syrian Future Movement will remain a supporter of all that strengthens justice and protects rights, a critic of all that hinders their realization, and a monitor of all that is accomplished on the ground, striving for a new Syria where justice and dignity prevail for all its people.
