{"id":65201,"date":"2026-06-24T08:05:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sfuturem.org\/?p=65201"},"modified":"2026-06-24T08:11:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:11:30","slug":"normalizing-arrests-in-a-state-governed-by-the-rule-of-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sfuturem.org\/en\/2026\/06\/normalizing-arrests-in-a-state-governed-by-the-rule-of-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Normalizing arrests in a state governed by the rule of law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-abstract\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Abstract:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article addresses the central issue of the &#8220;normalization of detention&#8221; as a cultural and institutional legacy of decades of security and intelligence rule in Syria. It does so by analyzing the arrest of an activist in Damascus on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for expressing solidarity with Syrian detainees transferred from northeastern Syria to Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The article begins with the principle that freedom is the norm and detention the exception, drawing on international human rights law and the rule of law theory, and relying on reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The article concludes that the transitional phase constitutes a foundational moment requiring the dismantling of the culture of normalization with detention and the establishment of a state governed by the rule of law based on accountability and transparency. It offers practical recommendations that take into account the specificities of the Syrian context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A fundamental question arises in the face of a situation that reproduces the familiarity of detention: Why has &#8220;anyone is subject to arrest&#8221; become an accepted statement in public discourse? This question, raised by a post from an activist recently arrested in Damascus for filming and showing solidarity with Syrian detainees transferred from northeastern Syria to Iraq, opens a wide door to discussion about the nature of the state we aspire to in the transitional phase, and about the heavy legacy left by the Assad regime in the Syrian citizen&#8217;s perception of state institutions in general, and the security and judicial apparatuses in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-background\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The capital, Damascus, recently witnessed the arrest of an activist who was standing in solidarity with Syrian detainees transferred from northeastern Syria to Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This demonstration came in the context of a large-scale transfer operation, which the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had completed on February 12, 2026, after a 23-day operation that began on January 21, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 5,700 detainees were transferred from detention facilities in Syria to the custody of Iraqi authorities, while other estimates indicate that the number of detainees transferred reached approximately 7,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, the number of terrorists transferred reached 5,064 by the date of the ministry&#8217;s announcement, including more than 3,000 Syrian nationals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The detainees represented 61 different nationalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) transferred at least 6,547 detainees to Iraq, including 4,743 Syrian citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These transfers are carried out without a comprehensive official announcement that includes the names of those transferred or the legal and procedural basis for each transfer, raising serious concerns regarding the principle of non-refoulement enshrined in Article 3 of the Convention against Torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Human Rights Watch confirmed that the existence of a &#8220;grave risk&#8221; of torture in Iraq means that the transfers may violate this principle, noting that these detainees &#8220;were held for years without due process and are now being held in another country without adequate safeguards.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-arrest-in-international-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arrest in International Law:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second principle of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 43\/173 of 1988, states that \u201cno one shall be arrested, detained, or imprisoned except in strict accordance with the law and by competent officials or persons authorized to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This principle, enshrined in all international conventions, establishes the central idea that freedom is the norm, and arrest is an exception justified only by the commission of a crime, by a warrant issued in accordance with legal procedures, or by being caught in the act of committing a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herein lies the danger of normalizing the idea of \u200b\u200barrest. This normalization represents a heavy legacy of decades of security and intelligence rule, where the citizen was transformed from a rights holder into a subject of constant surveillance, so that \u201cshow your ID\u201d at every checkpoint became a daily occurrence that no longer elicited surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a state governed by the rule of law, it is normal for a person to be free and to live their entire life without ever entering a police station or being detained. This fundamental distinction between detention as a legal exception and accountability as a law enforcement mechanism is what the transitional phase must establish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-theoretical-framework\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Theoretical Framework:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Rule of Law:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The concept of the rule of law refers to the principle that all individuals and institutions, whether public or private, including the state itself, are subject to laws that are publicly enacted, independently applied, and whose disputes are resolved through impartial courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This principle comprises four essential elements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legality (i.e., laws must be clear, publicly available, and stable).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accountability (i.e., the government and public officials must be subject to the law).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Justice (i.e., equal access to justice and human rights).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participation (i.e., citizens&#8217; participation in decision-making).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In the context of detention, the rule of law means that any restriction on personal liberty must be:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Based on a clear and publicly available legal provision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Authorized by a judicial order from an independent authority, except in cases of flagrant offenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proportionate to the intended purpose (i.e., not excessive).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject to appeal before an independent court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-transitional-justice\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transitional Justice:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transitional justice is defined as a &#8220;transformative framework used during periods of radical change&#8221; to address the legacy of gross human rights violations. It rests on four fundamental pillars: criminal accountability, truth and reconciliation, reparations, and institutional reform in the judiciary, security, and military sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Syrian Network for Human Rights affirms that transitional justice represents &#8220;the optimal approach to achieving comprehensive recovery from the effects of conflict, building solid foundations for a state based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the promotion of national reconciliation.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Syrian context, the joint article by Professor Fadl Abdul Ghani and Professor Ruti Teitel indicates that &#8220;the widespread atrocities in Syria have created a complex reality that extends beyond the suffering of individuals to affect successive generations and inflict profound damage on society as a whole,&#8221; necessitating &#8220;the design of transitional measures that alleviate existential fears rather than exacerbate them.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-reality-of-arbitrary-detention-in-syria\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The reality of arbitrary detention in Syria:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the fall of the Assad regime on 8 January December 1, 2024 \u2013 Despite the hopes raised by the transitional phase for rebuilding the state on the foundations of the rule of law, human rights reports indicate the continuation of violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In its fifteenth annual report on the human rights situation in Syria for 2025, the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented at least 1,108 cases of arbitrary arrest during the year, including children and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The report states that \u201cpolitical transition alone is not enough to stop violations without genuine institutional reform, effective accountability, and protection for civilians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another report issued by the Network revealed that the multiplicity of actors on the ground contributes to the continuation of patterns of violations, including arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These figures indicate that the challenge lies not only in overcoming the legacy of the previous regime, but also in building new institutions capable of protecting rights instead of violating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This requires, as the Network emphasizes, \u201cgenuine institutional reform\u201d that begins with restructuring the security and judicial apparatuses according to standards of transparency, accountability, and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-international-experiences\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">International Experiences:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International experiences demonstrate that the most successful transitions are those that place human rights at the heart of the state-building process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Desmond Tutu, was a key instrument for uncovering the truth without sacrificing political stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Argentina and Chile, mechanisms for criminal accountability for those involved in human rights violations were a cornerstone for building trust in the new institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Arab region, Tunisia\u2019s post-2011 experience offers an important model, with the establishment of the Truth and Dignity Commission to investigate violations dating back to 1955, focusing on reparations and national reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the challenges these experiences faced, they underscore the importance of civil society and victims\u2019 participation in shaping the transitional phase, and the need to avoid leaving the transitional justice process solely to the executive branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iraq\u2019s post-2003 experience also highlights the significant challenges the country faced in dealing with the archives of the former regime and holding those responsible accountable, emphasizing the importance of learning from these lessons in the Syrian context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-challenges-in-syria-s-transition\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenges in Syria&#8217;s Transition:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The transitional phase in Syria faces numerous challenges that complicate the path to building a state governed by the rule of law. These include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First<\/strong>: The multiplicity of actors \u2013 armed factions and regional and international powers are vying for control of the territory, creating a fragile security environment that makes it difficult to enforce the rule of law uniformly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Second<\/strong>: The institutional legacy \u2013 state institutions, particularly the security and judicial apparatuses, retain the culture and mindsets of the previous regime and its former factional structure. This necessitates a fundamental reform process that addresses both the structures and the human resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Third<\/strong>: Economic fragility \u2013 the cost of reconstruction is estimated at approximately $216 billion, at a time when the country is suffering from resource scarcity. This may lead to the marginalization of human rights priorities in favor of security and economic priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fourth<\/strong>: Societal divisions \u2013 the Syrian landscape reflects political fragmentation and social polarization, with a competition for perceived victimhood among various groups. This requires the adoption of a non-sectarian justice system that focuses on individual responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-recommendations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommendations:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Based on the above, and in light of the unique circumstances of the transitional phase in Syria, the Syrian Future Movement offers the following recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First, immediate legislative and institutional reform:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enact legislation regulating arrest and detention in accordance with international standards, and criminalizing any arrest without a judicial warrant or in cases of flagrant offenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject all detention centers to independent judicial oversight, and guarantee the detainee&#8217;s right to contact a lawyer and immediately inform their family, in accordance with Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establish clear mechanisms for compensation for cases of arbitrary arrest, following the example of countries that have made significant progress in this area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Second, breaking the culture of normalization:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launch national awareness campaigns that establish the principle that &#8220;freedom is the norm,&#8221; and dismantle the prevailing mindset that views arrest as normal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Train security and judicial personnel on human rights standards, and reinforce the principle that the citizen is a partner in building the state, not a subject of its security apparatus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrating the concepts of the rule of law and human rights into educational curricula and vocational training programs for employees in state institutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Third, guarantees regarding detainees transferred to Iraq:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Demanding the release of complete lists of names of transferred detainees and the legal basis for each transfer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working to ensure fair trials for them, or their return to Syria to be tried before an independent national judiciary, in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitoring the situation of Syrian detainees in Iraq through diplomatic and legal mechanisms, and guaranteeing their right to contact their families and obtain legal representation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fourth, Activating Transitional Justice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accelerating the activation of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, and guaranteeing its independence and representation of the various segments of Syrian society.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring the participation of civil society and victims in designing and implementing transitional justice mechanisms, and benefiting from international expertise in this field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Linking the transitional justice process to the reform of state institutions, so that it is not limited to holding perpetrators accountable but extends to rebuilding trust in institutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fifth, Accountability and the End of Impunity:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Holding accountable those responsible for any human rights violations during the transitional phase, including arbitrary arrests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishing an independent national mechanism to receive complaints and investigate violations of personal freedoms, similar to independent human rights bodies in many countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperating with international human rights mechanisms and submitting periodic reports on the human rights situation in Syria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arrest in a state governed by the rule of law is not inevitable, nor is it a feature of daily life. It is an exceptional measure with its own regulations and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Normalizing the idea that &#8220;anyone is subject to arrest&#8221; is<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a continuation of a cultural and political legacy that must be overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We reiterate what the Syrian Network for Human Rights stated: \u201cProtecting civilians, uncovering the fate of the missing, holding those responsible for violations accountable, and safeguarding public freedoms are the foundational conditions for any legitimate and sustainable stability in Syria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The transitional phase in Syria is a foundational moment, requiring everyone\u2014the state, civil society, and citizens\u2014to work towards building a new model of the state, one where citizens are free, where no one is arrested except according to the law, and where accountability is the norm and impunity the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a state governed by the rule of law, it is normal to be free\u2026 and the exception to be arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-list-of-sources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">List of Sources:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Syrian Network for Human Rights, \u201cThe Fifteenth Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in Syria for 2025,\u201d March 26, 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Syrian Network for Human Rights, \u201cSyrian-Lebanese Agreement on the Transfer of Convicted Persons: A Legal Benefit or a Tool for Politicization?\u201d February 6, 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human Rights Watch, \u201cIraq: Alleged ISIS Detainees Transferred from Syria at Risk of Torture,\u201d February 17, 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CNN Arabic, \u201cUS Military Announces Completion of Transfer of ISIS Detainees from Syria to Iraq,\u201d February 13, 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Al Jazeera Net, \u201c7 Questions About the Transfer of ISIS Detainees from Syria to Iraq,\u201d February 15, 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fadl Abdul Ghani and Ruti Teitel, \u201cTransitional Justice in Post-Assad Syria: A Transformative Framework for Accountability and Reforms,\u201d Just Security, May 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Country of Principles on the Protection of All Persons Those who are subjected to any form of detention or imprisonment, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 43\/173, 1988.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The article examines the normalization of historical detention in Syria and raises questions about individual freedom and human rights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":65199,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4843],"tags":[4718],"class_list":["post-65201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-office","tag-articles"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - 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