HRW Syria’s Transitional Justice Commission undermined by narrow mandate
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized on Monday the limited mandate of Syria’s newly formed Transitional Justice Commission, warning that its narrow scope undermines its credibility and excludes many victims of the country’s long-standing conflict.
In a report titled “Syria’s Transitional Justice Commission: A Missed Opportunity for Victim-Led Justice”, the HRW called on the Syrian transitional government to ensure that survivors and affected communities play a central role in shaping the transitional justice process.
While the HRW acknowledged that the creation of both the Transitional Justice Commission and the National Commission for the Missing could mark a turning point for truth-telling and accountability, it warned that the transitional justice body’s mandate—as outlined in the decree—is “troublingly narrow and excludes many victims.”
The organization noted that the commission’s jurisdiction is restricted solely to crimes committed by the previous Syrian government, omitting violations perpetrated by non-state actors. Furthermore, it criticized the lack of clarity on how victims will be meaningfully engaged in the commission’s work or decision-making processes.
The HRW said that the establishment of the National Commission for the Missing was met with “cautious optimism.” However, its success hinges on a framework grounded in transparency, human rights, and inclusive participation. “Without these, even this critical effort risks falling short of the justified expectations of Syrians.”
“Recent atrocities and rising sectarian rhetoric underscore the urgent need for an inclusive transitional justice process—one for all Syrians, not just some,” the HRW emphasized.
The organization warned that the Syrian transitional government stands at a critical crossroads: “It can either embrace a genuinely victim-centered process that acknowledges the rights of all survivors, or perpetuate exclusion and deepen divisions.”
The HRW urged Syria’s international partners to make clear that continued support for transitional justice efforts will depend on a transparent, inclusive, and victim-focused approach.
“The opportunity for meaningful justice is tangible—but it will be lost if the process excludes or sidelines certain victims,” the HRW concluded.
On May 17, a presidential decree appointed Abdel Baset Abdel Latif as the head of the National Commission for Transitional Justice in Syria, tasked with investigating the grave violations committed by the “former Syrian regime.”