A Small Step on the Path to Justice, a Giant Leap Toward Stability

As public trial sessions for figures of the former regime commenced on April 26, 2026, the Syrian street has been marked by a blend of public approval and close attention to every detail. This step is widely seen as the true beginning of a transitional justice process in Syria. Yet for many, it remains a somewhat ambiguous path, both because it focuses primarily on one faction, namely the Assad regime that fell in December 2024, and because Syria’s legal system, whether through existing laws or traditional courts, is not yet equipped to handle the magnitude of the crimes currently under prosecution.

Welcome and Skepticism

The general atmosphere across Syria is one of cautious welcome and relief, particularly in Daraa province, with the in-person trial of Atef Najib. A former head of a Syrian security branch and a cousin of Bashar al-Assad, Najib is accused of committing some of the most heinous crimes in the country. Once protected by unparalleled immunity, seeing the figure associated with the spark of the Syrian uprising behind bars represents a crucial step toward reassuring victims’ families and restoring trust in state institutions.

“Across Syria, cautious relief greets the trial of Atef Najib, once shielded by impunity, now seen as a vital step toward justice and restoring trust in state institutions.”

Abdulrahman Rabboa

These public trials, held in the heart of Damascus, mark a turning point, bringing an end to decades of judicial impunity for perpetrators of abuses, regardless of their rank, and reinforcing the principle of accountability in a country long eroded by corruption and patronage under both father and son Assad.

At the same time, criticism has emerged from supporters of the former regime, their social base, and the families of detained or exiled individuals. They question the integrity of the judiciary and the transitional justice process, while also calling for the inclusion of other violations, such as those committed in March 2025 against Alawite communities following a failed coup attempt, the incidents in Sweida in July 2025 after ethnic clashes between Druze and Bedouins involving government and pro-government forces, as well as violations during confrontations between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, Manbij, Raqqa, and Ain al-Arab (Kobani).

Challenges of Trust and Integrity

There is little doubt that the success of this process depends entirely on two key factors, both present and potentially reliable, yet still incomplete. The first is the integrity and competence of the judiciary. The second is the legal and constitutional framework. Ongoing debates center on whether the current judicial institution is capable of managing cases of such complexity without slipping into “retributive justice.” There is also concern over delays in the formation of a legislative body tasked with drafting appropriate laws to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly in the absence of a finalized Syrian constitution.

Justice as a Bridge to Stability

There is a rare and broad consensus among Syrians that transitional justice is not merely about punishment, but rather a bridge toward civil peace and social stability. Revealing the truth, identifying those responsible, holding them accountable, and providing redress to victims remain the only viable path to preventing renewed cycles of violence and ensuring a genuine political transition, without further coups that no one desires or is willing to endure.

“Transitional justice is not about punishment alone, it is the bridge to truth, accountability, and lasting stability in Syria.”

Abdulrahman Rabboa

While many view the launch of transitional justice and the prosecution of war criminals as an initial step toward justice for victims, it is, in reality, a significant leap toward stability in Syria. It lays the groundwork for rebuilding a state hollowed out by corruption and a society fractured by war, while also paving the way for the safe and voluntary return of millions of refugees and displaced persons to their homes and livelihoods.