Syria Proposes Law Criminalizing Denial of Assad Regime Crimes

The Syrian Ministry of Justice announced the preparation of a new draft law that criminalizes the denial, questioning, justification, or glorification of crimes committed by Bashar Assad's regime. This initiative is part of the transitional justice process and aims to protect victims' rights.

Minister of Justice Mazhar Al-Wais stated in a declaration broadcast by Syria TV that the Syrian people endured severe oppression, injustice, and grave human rights violations over decades until regaining their freedom on December 8, 2024. He described this as the start of a new national phase based on justice, fairness, rule of law, and safeguarding rights and freedoms.

Al-Wais emphasized that these principles stem from the constitutional declaration of the transitional stage, particularly the principle of achieving transitional justice. He stressed that denying, doubting, justifying, or glorifying the perpetrators of crimes infringes on victims' rights and national memory and violates the constitutional declaration's provisions.

The minister noted that the public prosecution, as the authority responsible for initiating public lawsuits, will pursue violations of this nature according to legal procedures. He urged citizens to report any acts or statements violating the constitutional declaration so that legal measures can be taken against offenders under current laws.

The ministry indicated that the draft law will be submitted to the People's Assembly once convened to complete the necessary constitutional procedures for its approval.

In October 2025, Syria held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar Assad's regime at the end of 2024, ending 24 years of his rule.

Earlier, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar'a announced that the parliament's inaugural session would take place in early May, but the date was later postponed.

It is anticipated that Al-Shar'a will announce the list of the appointed third of the People's Assembly members, according to the constitutional declaration granting him the authority to appoint 70 members. These will join the two-thirds elected members (140 seats) from various Syrian provinces, except for As-Suwayda province, where elections were not held due to prevailing security conditions.