
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Human rights organizations and associations representing victims, survivors, and their families convened on Friday a dialogue meeting in the Syrian capital, Damascus, to discuss the fate of the missing and pave the way toward transitional justice in the country.
The meeting highlighted that it was convened based on awareness of the importance and complexity of the justice file in Syria as a national participatory endeavor, and belief in the necessity of unifying efforts among all national stakeholders to fulfill their active roles in this critical issue.
According to the organizers, the two-day meeting aims to foster discussions on the significance of justice and redress for victims, underlining the need for collaboration and leveraging the expertise of all those engaged in this field.
The meeting is expected to conclude with the formation of a coordination group or follow-up committee tasked with establishing direct channels of communication with the caretaker government. This group will share the outcomes of their discussions with international organizations and review progress and investments in advancing the justice file.
Maha Ghreir, a human rights activist and one of the meeting’s organizers, stressed the enduring challenges Syria faces, noting that al-Assad ruled the country for many years, and the past 13 years have been particularly harsh for Syrians.
While acknowledging that Assad is responsible for the majority of violations, she emphasized that abuses have occurred across all areas of conflict.
Speaking to North Press, Ghreir described the justice file as “highly complex” and underscored the necessity of collective Syrian involvement in addressing it.
From northern Syria, Sherin Ibrahim, an administrator with the “Dar” association for victims of forced displacement, emphasized that achieving justice must begin with dismantling all displacement camps within Syria and ensuring the return of forcibly displaced individuals to their homes—particularly in Afrin, Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Tel Abyad.”
She explained to North Press that justice is a protracted process requiring foundational steps, such as ending factionalism, halting attacks, establishing robust state institutions, and initiating reconstruction efforts.
Addressing the situation in Afrin, Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Tel Abyad—areas under Turkish control due to military operations—Ibrahim highlighted that many original residents of these regions remain displaced, with their homes destroyed and inaccessible.
She called for the Syrian caretaker government to prioritize dignified returns as part of the journey toward justice.
Moreover, Tarek Mu’tarmawi, representing the “Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison” association, emphasized the urgency of dismantling barriers and preconceived notions among Syrians, advocating for mutual acceptance and collaboration as essential steps toward achieving transitional justice.
Human rights activist Wafa Mustafa shed light on the broader landscape of violations, addressing attacks in northern and southern Syria, including Turkish military operations in the north and Israeli incursions in Quneitra. She referred to the ongoing bombings, kidnappings, and occupations of Syrian territory as significant obstacles to justice.
“Thinking about justice in Syria is already challenging under the control of one authority,” Mustafa noted. “But the current divisions across the country make the path to justice even more arduous.”