The new Syrian government has pledged to seek justice for crimes committed during the Assad regime. This ambitious promise faces immense challenges, especially for families who have endured unimaginable losses throughout the civil war.
In a confined space near Douma, a suburb devastated by conflict, Umm Mazen shares her heartbreaking journey spanning 12 years, marked by the search for her two sons. Both were apprehended during the uprising’s initial wave and lost within the oppressive security apparatus of the Assad era.
Umm Mazen received a death certificate for her eldest son, Mazen, while there has been no information about Abu Hadi’s whereabouts.
Her third son, Ahmed, spent three years in the regime’s security system, including eight months in Saydnaya prison, notorious for its brutality. He recalls a haunting moment when he thought he heard his brother’s voice during a roll call.
“What justice can restore my family’s devastation?” pondered Umm Mazen. “I wish for divine justice,” she reflects, recalling instances where she urged others to inflict the same torment on regime supporters that her sons suffered.
“My two sons may be dead, but countless young men have endured similar fates. I pray that those responsible face the depths of despair as they left my children in their dungeons,” she said, echoing the cries for accountability resonating among many families affected by the conflict.
Lawyer Hussein Issa has tirelessly advocated for those prosecuted for political dissent under the Assad regime, enduring continuous pressure from authorities while seeking justice for his clients.
Despite his efforts, many were subjected to the rigors of special terrorism courts, where hope for justice often evaporated.
Now, as Lebanon’s mountains loom in the background of his office, Issa asserts the necessity of expelling judges who facilitated the regime’s injustices and calls for legal repercussions against them. He remains optimistic about the potential for reform within the judicial system, acknowledging that establishing a robust system is crucial for Syria’s future.
The Ministry of Justice in the Syrian capital has been dormant for several weeks following the regime’s collapse. Lawyers are now poised for the reopening of civil and criminal courts.
Deputy Justice Minister Khitam Haddad has indicated that while criminal and civil cases will resume, addressing past regime crimes will not be prioritized immediately. She emphasizes the importance of restoring the judiciary and ensuring that the courts operate effectively.
However, concerns loom among legal practitioners regarding the transitional government’s plan to control the Bar Association without a democratic vote, prompting fears of repeating the authoritarian governance of the past.
As the remnants of the previous regime’s legal framework, including the terrorism law, persist, it remains uncertain how long it will take for the judicial system to evolve and address historical injustices.
In light of the ongoing unrest, authorities have urged citizens not to pursue vigilante justice as reports surface of violent acts against former officials.
Raids and arrests continue, including the return of individuals who sought refuge in neighboring countries. However, the vital question persists: can the previously oppressive justice system adapt to confront the moral and logistical challenges of accountability?
As Syrians, young and old, breathe freely in the winter air amidst newfound hope, they gather in cafes, contemplating a future shaped by the promise of justice and accountability—a future that seems increasingly attainable, yet still precarious.
