Human Rights Watch: Syrian Government’s Inaction Undermines Rights Protection and Halt of Abuses

Welat TV – Erbil

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stressed that the Syrian authorities’ failure to curb ongoing violations and hold perpetrators genuinely accountable is undermining confidence in their ability to maintain peace, security, and protect fundamental rights.

In a report published on Monday, 8 December 2025, marking the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, the organization said that although the transitional Syrian authorities have taken positive steps in areas of justice, transparency, and human rights, these efforts have been “marred and undermined by repeated failures to prevent widespread abuses committed by government forces.” HRW urged the authorities to address outstanding concerns regarding security-sector reform, accountability, and the inclusion of all segments of society.

The organization stated that it has documented “violations committed by government forces and allied groups that amount to war crimes in the coastal region and in Sweida,” noting that reports indicate the government has failed to prevent abuses against minorities in Syria by groups sympathetic to the current authorities.

Rights of Syrians Must Come First

Adam Coogle, Deputy Director of the Middle East Division at Human Rights Watch, said: “The end of Assad’s rule created an unprecedented opportunity for Syrians to break free from decades of authoritarianism and build a rights-respecting country. One year later, there are growing signs that this opportunity is shrinking.” He added: “Global relief over the end of Assad’s brutal rule should not translate into giving the current authorities a blank check to commit abuses. Instead, the international community must work with Syrian authorities to ensure that the rights of all Syrians are prioritized.”

Unregulated Militarization

HRW noted that the transitional authorities’ efforts to integrate various armed factions into the official Syrian army and security forces led to “the absorption of some units without proper vetting, creating space for abuses and lack of discipline.”

Inclusive in Transitional Justice

Regarding transitional justice, HRW stated that the mandate of the current justice body is limited to crimes committed by the Assad government, stressing that this one-sided approach has left the institution’s priorities unclear. The organization emphasized that comprehensive justice requires local judicial and institutional reforms that guarantee independent accountability, and ensure that the judiciary and all relevant government bodies adhere to human rights standards under international law.

Lack of Transparency

HRW welcomed the establishment of a “National Commission for the Missing” by the Syrian authorities to determine the fate of thousands of missing and forcibly disappeared persons. However, it noted that victims and families feel “frustrated” by the commission’s lack of transparency, alongside the continued abductions carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the ISIS terrorist group. The organization called on Syrian authorities and relevant institutions to ensure that all work related to the missing is conducted in a manner that respects the dignity of victims and their families.

Undermining State Institutions

On the constitutional declaration, the report stated that it strengthened executive control over other state institutions by allowing the president to appoint one-third of the members of the People’s Assembly, in addition to holding the first parliamentary elections through appointment. It also highlighted the suspension of elections in the provinces of Hasaka, Raqqa, and Sweida, as they remain outside government control, warning that exceptional measures must not come at the expense of fundamental rights.

Restrictions on International Organizations

HRW added that although the interim Syrian authorities have shown openness to cooperation with international humanitarian and independent organizations—and have allowed civil society to operate with greater autonomy—they have simultaneously imposed restrictions on these organizations. These include difficulties obtaining registration approvals, harassment, and the requirement that aid be delivered exclusively through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).