The Syrian Future Movement followed with great interest the announcement made by the Ministries of Interior and Justice of the Syrian Arab Republic during a meeting held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, chaired by Ministers Anas Khattab and Mazhar Al-Wais, with the participation of legal experts and a delegation from the Transitional Justice Commission headed by Abdul Basit Abdul Latif. The announcement comes within the framework of establishing a comprehensive methodology for identifying and verifying the names of individuals associated with the former regime, in preparation for subsequent legal proceedings, including the prosecution of regime figures and the issuance of arrest warrants in absentia against those involved in human rights violations.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the step of preparing organized and reliable databases of those associated with the ousted regime represents a fundamental pillar and an indispensable foundation for the success of the transitional justice process in Syria. It translates the national commitments to prosecute perpetrators of grave violations, protect the rights of victims, and ensure that no one involved escapes punishment.
We highly value the level of institutional coordination between the Ministries of Interior and Justice and the Transitional Justice Commission, and we see it as a model to be emulated for integrated government work that serves the interests of the Syrian people.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its firm and principled stances in support of the transitional justice process and the necessity of accurate documentation and accountability mechanisms, which it has published on its official website. Among the most prominent of these stances are:
- Our report entitled “The United Nations Report on the Transitional Justice Process in Syria” (dated April 15, 2026): In it, we commended Syria’s progress on the transitional justice file, but cautioned that what had been achieved was not the end of the road, but merely a beginning requiring concerted efforts. We emphasized that the success of the process hinges on a delicate balance between national sovereignty, transparency, and building public trust.
- Our position entitled “Establishing the Joint Syrian-UN Working Group to Support the Transitional Justice Process” (dated February 22, 2026): In it, we welcomed the formation of the joint team between the National Commission for Transitional Justice and UN entities, considering it a move from the general political framework to the stage of practical implementation. We proposed four practical priorities, including building a unified and secure national database for documentation and a time-bound roadmap for reforming the justice sector.
- Our statement, titled “Minister of Justice’s Statement Stresses Commitment to Prosecuting Figures of the Ousted Regime” (dated February 22, 2026), commended the official statements affirming the commitment to prosecuting figures of the ousted regime as an indispensable step for strengthening justice and stability in Syria. We considered this a practical embodiment of the principle of accountability.
The Syrian Future Movement views the creation of these databases as a crucial executive tool in the battle to reclaim rights. However, their success depends not only on the accuracy of the information but also on the integrity of the associated legal procedures.
We believe we have a historic opportunity to transform these databases from mere lists of names into a comprehensive justice system that forms the basis for fair trials, compensation for victims, and the confiscation of looted assets.
We also see this step as a clear message, both domestically and internationally, that the new Syria is determined to break the cycle of impunity and build a state of institutions on the ruins of the corrupt state.
The Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Ensuring accuracy and reliability: The compilation and verification of names must adhere to precise and transparent legal standards, with the involvement of independent international experts to ensure the admissibility of these lists as evidence before international courts, if necessary.
- Separating administrative and criminal responsibility: Clearly distinguishing between those involved in serious violations and civil servants who were simply carrying out their routine duties is essential to prevent any form of collective punishment or political purges.
- Building a unified national database: Establishing a central, secure, and updatable database that can be linked to court records and the Transitional Justice Commission. This database must comply with international data protection standards and be partially accessible to victims.
- Linking documentation to reparations programs: This database should serve as the foundation for material and moral compensation programs for victims, rather than merely a tool for punitive prosecution, in line with international best practices in transitional justice.
Periodic progress reports: Transparent periodic reports should be issued detailing the number of names compiled, the stages of verification, and the legal proceedings undertaken, to bolster public and international confidence in the seriousness of the process. The Syrian Future Movement reaffirms that transitional justice is the true test of the new Syria’s commitment to building a state of law and institutions.
We declare our full readiness to support these national efforts through our expertise and relationships, thereby contributing to realizing our people’s aspirations for just retribution and building the Syria of tomorrow on the foundations of justice, equality, and dignity.
