Amnesty International Warns Against Trials in Absentia and Death Sentences in Syria

Welat TV – Erbil

Amnesty International warned on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, that the death sentence issued in absentia against ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and several figures from his regime represents the first ruling of its kind issued by Syria’s transitional authorities, stressing that trials in absentia and death sentences are incompatible with fair-trial guarantees and international standards.

In a statement, the organization said that prosecuting those responsible for grave crimes and violations represents an important step toward achieving justice, establishing the truth, and providing reparations to victims. At the same time, it stressed that addressing the legacy of violations requires abolishing trials in absentia and the death penalty, as well as incorporating core crimes under international law into national legislation.

Call for Comprehensive Judicial Reform

Amnesty International called for comprehensive judicial reform to ensure that all judicial proceedings are subject to fair-trial guarantees and fully comply with international law and standards.

It also called for trials to be conducted before ordinary civilian courts as part of a comprehensive, victim-centered national strategy that guarantees victims’ right to know the truth and access justice.

Syrian Justice Ministry: Rulings Issued in Accordance with the Law

In response, the Syrian Ministry of Justice said that the judicial rulings issued recently, including those involving the death penalty and trials in absentia, were issued in accordance with Syrian law and constitutional and legal guarantees.

The ministry stressed that justice and accountability for those responsible for crimes are being pursued through state institutions and within their legal jurisdiction, in a manner that safeguards the rights of both victims and defendants.

On Tuesday, the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued death sentences against ousted President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and Atef Najib, along with a number of former security and military officials, following the completion of hearings in a case involving allegations of murder, torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity committed against Syrians.