The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the quarterly report issued by the Syrian Network for Human Rights on Friday, October 2, 2026. The report documented a drop in arbitrary detention cases in Syria to just 13 during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 246 cases in the first half of the same year—210 of which occurred in the first quarter alone.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that while this numerical decline is a positive indicator, it should not be viewed in isolation from its full context, nor interpreted as definitive proof of tangible improvement in the performance of state institutions regarding human rights.
The Movement emphasizes that interpreting these figures requires scrutinizing the perpetrating entities, the geographical distribution, and the implications of the absence of cases, rather than relying solely on a raw numerical comparison.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the report’s details reveal a picture far more complex than a mere “decline”:
Regarding the perpetrators, 12 of the 13 cases—representing 92.3%—were attributed to the occupying Zionist entity, while only one case was attributed to Syrian government forces, involving a media activist. The Syrian Future Movement considers that this distribution indicates that the decline in cases attributed to government forces may not necessarily reflect an improvement in their conduct; rather, it may reflect a shift in conflict dynamics or in monitoring and documentation priorities. Meanwhile, the largest share of violations during the third quarter remains attributable to a foreign occupying force.
Geographically, the cases were concentrated in the governorates of Daraa and Quneitra—with six cases in each—while Hama recorded a single case.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that this geographic concentration in the south is linked to Israeli military operations in those areas, rather than a general decline in the practice of arbitrary detention across Syrian territory; consequently, this conclusion should not be generalized.
Regarding releases, the network documented 18 cases during the third quarter—including one involving a child—all of whom had been held by Israeli forces.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the absence of any releases from detention centers run by government forces or other entities during this quarter raises questions regarding the fate of detainees and necessitates an official clarification concerning their legal status. In this context, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates its steadfast position—published on its official website on November 3, 2025, under the title “Arbitrary Detention and the Necessity of Criminalizing It in Syria”—affirming that “arbitrary detention—regardless of the perpetrator or the pretext—constitutes a national and humanitarian crime that must be explicitly and categorically criminalized in all future Syrian laws.” It further asserts that “a new Syria cannot be built upon the logic of force or revenge, but rather upon justice, the rule of law, and judicial independence.”
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that these principles remain valid today; a decline in the number of documented cases neither eliminates the need to explicitly criminalize arbitrary detention in Syrian legislation nor absolves any party of accountability for recorded cases, however few in number.
We also recall that the phenomenon of arbitrary detention “is no longer exclusive to a single entity but has spread across various regions of the country under multiple authorities,” necessitating a comprehensive national approach that goes beyond merely tracking statistics.
Acting upon its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement makes the following recommendations:
- Avoid relying on a numerical decline as evidence of improved government performance; instead, continue to demand a comprehensive review of arbitrary detention cases across all regions.
- This includes verifying the fate of former detainees, releasing those proven to have been detained without legal basis, and issuing periodic reports on their status. Expedite the enactment of national legislation that explicitly and categorically criminalizes arbitrary detention—in line with previous calls by the Syrian Future Movement and in accordance with international human rights standards—and mandates compliance by all influential forces operating within Syrian territory.
- Document cases of arbitrary detention attributed to the occupying Zionist entity and pursue them in international forums—given that they constitute the largest share of cases documented during the third quarter—while working to hold those responsible accountable and ensuring the immediate release of detainees.
- Strengthen independent oversight mechanisms for detention centers, grant human rights organizations access to these facilities, and guarantee the right of detainees to contact lawyers and their families, as well as the right to appear before a judge within a reasonable timeframe.
- Launch a national dialogue on the criminal justice system—involving judges, lawyers, legal experts, and civil society organizations—to review legal procedures regarding arrest and detention and ensure their alignment with the constitution and international conventions.
The Syrian Future Movement notes a decline in documented cases of arbitrary detention during the third quarter of 2026; however, it emphasizes that figures alone do not constitute justice. A reduction in the number of cases does not obviate the need to address the root causes of the phenomenon, nor does it absolve any party of responsibility for any instance of arbitrary detention committed on Syrian soil, regardless of the perpetrator. The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its call to explicitly criminalize arbitrary detention and to build a criminal justice system that protects freedom and dignity, while fostering citizens’ trust in state institutions.
