Syrian Justice Ministry Unveils Comprehensive Domestic Violence Law Amid Public Outcry Over Nour and Farah Case

Syria’s Justice Ministry has moved to advance a comprehensive domestic violence law following widespread public reaction to the killings of two Syrian children, Nour al-Dous and Farah al-Hamoud. The cases, alongside others involving Syrian minors subjected to familial violence and abuse, have stirred national attention and prompted institutional response.

Legal Response to Child Abuse Cases

Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais stated that his ministry is actively monitoring the cases of Nour al-Dous and Farah al-Hamoud. He emphasized that the ministry treats these matters not as isolated emergency responses but as integral components of its institutional responsibilities and broader reform agenda. Al-Wais disclosed that a full draft law targeting domestic violence is pending submission to the People’s Assembly.

National Strategy for Child Protection

In a statement published by the Ministry of Justice’s official Telegram channel on Saturday, al-Wais noted that child protection has been a central pillar of the ministry’s work program since its inception. He affirmed a firm institutional conviction that safeguarding children constitutes a national duty and that building a child-friendly justice system represents both an investment in society’s future and a reinforcement of the rule of law.

The ministry, in coordination with other Syrian ministries, national agencies, and international organizations, has developed a comprehensive national strategy for child protection. It has also formulated a national program aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system. This program seeks to strengthen legal and judicial safeguards for children, institutionalize rehabilitation and reintegration approaches, and ensure the best interests of the child serve as the foundational principle guiding policy design, legislative drafting, and judicial decision-making.

Specialized Mechanisms for Domestic Violence Cases

Al-Wais highlighted the ministry’s heightened focus on domestic violence, recognizing its severe consequences for families and society—particularly for children and women. Since an earlier stage, the Ministry of Justice has collaborated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and other relevant national entities to prepare the draft domestic violence law. The proposed legislation includes a holistic framework encompassing prevention, protection, the establishment of specialized police and judicial bodies to handle such cases, enhanced measures to safeguard victims, and stricter penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence crimes.