Umm Mazen is still waiting to hear about the fate of her two sons who were arrested during the pro-democracy protests that sparked the Syrian civil war. Despite promises of justice from the new Syrian authorities, many, like Umm Mazen, have suffered immense losses during the conflict. In a devastated suburb of Damascus, Umm Mazen recounts the years of searching for her sons, with one confirmed dead and the other missing. Her third son, Ahmed, endured torture and imprisonment in the Assad-era security system. Seeking divine justice, she hopes for retribution against those responsible for the suffering of her family.
Lawyer Hussein Issa advocates for the removal of judges complicit with the Assad regime from the judiciary system. He faced constant pressure for defending individuals accused of political crimes but managed to save some from the harsh security system. As Syria transitions, the challenge of delivering justice for past atrocities looms large. Establishing a fair and effective judicial system is crucial for the country’s future stability, according to Issa.
Deputy Minister of Justice Khitam Haddad acknowledges the need to resume court operations but delays addressing crimes committed under the previous regime. Concerns arise over the transitional authorities’ actions, with some fearing a return to authoritarianism. The laws and structure of the Assad era remain in place, including the terrorism law, prolonging the wait for accountability and justice for those accused of crimes.
Syrians demand accountability for the crimes committed by regime officials, but the new authorities caution against vigilante justice. The road to justice and reconciliation in post-conflict Syria is long and complex, with the hopes and fears of its people hanging in the balance. BBC
Ha habido redadas y arrestos – y algunos de los que escaparon a través de la frontera a Líbano o Irak han sido devueltos.
Pero queda una gran pregunta sobre si el sistema de justicia – que durante tanto tiempo fue un instrumento de represión – es capaz de ser reconfigurado para enfrentar este inmenso desafío moral y logístico.
En lo alto de la montaña sobre Damasco, los sirios, jóvenes y mayores, todavía están respirando libremente – intoxicados por el frío aire claro de invierno – en un lugar al que estuvieron prohibidos de entrar por las fuerzas de seguridad durante más de una década.
En cafeterías y quioscos que han surgido en las semanas desde la caída de Assad, ellos miran hacia la ciudad extendida ante ellos – con sus oscuros recuerdos y la promesa de un futuro diferente, en el cual la justicia y la rendición de cuentas podrían tener un papel.