⚔️ Human Rights Watch Warns of Shrinking Post-Assad Gains Despite Steps Toward Justice and Transparency

Human Rights Watch has issued a report marking the first anniversary of the Assad regime’s collapse. It acknowledges that the emerging authorities have taken meaningful steps in justice, transparency, and rights protection, yet warns that they have not prevented continuing hostilities and severe abuses. The report stresses the urgent need to address gaps in security-sector reform, accountability, and inclusivity, backed by credible international engagement to backing the transition. In its introduction, the organization reviewed developments since 8 December 2024, when a coalition of opposition factions led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad, bringing sixty years of Baath rule and thirteen years of crisis to an end.

Human Rights Watch noted that the emerging authorities adopted a constitutional declaration, held indirect parliamentary elections, and initiated measures to ensure accountability for past administration abuses. Yet these steps, it stated, have been undermined by repeated failures to prevent widespread atrocities, numerous carried out by administration troops. Adam Coogle, Deputy Director for the Middle East at Human Rights Watch, stated: “The end of Assad’s rule created an unprecedented opportunity for Syrians to break free from decades of tyranny and build a country that respects rights. One year on, there are growing signs that this opportunity is slipping away. ” The organization recalled that on 12 December 2024 it had issued recommendations urging Syrian authorities to prioritize rights in the transitional justice process.

One year later, it returned to assess progress made on those recommendations. Human Rights Watch documented violations by government troops and affiliated groups that “amount to war crimes in the coastal region and in Sweida. ” It also cited credible reports that the authorities have failed to prevent abuses against minorities by groups sympathetic to the current government. The report warned that the inability or unwillingness of the authorities to curb these abuses and hold perpetrators genuinely accountable erodes confidence in their capacity to safeguard peace, security, and rights. It further observed that efforts to integrate disparate armed factions into the official army and security forces, without rigorous vetting, have created openings for abuses and a lack of discipline.

At the same time, the organization praised the government’s commitment to investigating atrocities in the coastal region and Sweida, calling it “worthy of praise,” while cautioning that severe concerns remain over the authorities’ ability to conduct credible investigations and prosecute senior authorities. Additionally, significant gaps in the criminal justice framework persist, including the…