With the fall of the Assad regime, survivors recount harrowing tales and advocate for a justice system that can heal the scars of war.
**Striving for Justice: The Aftermath of Assad's Regime in Syria**
**Striving for Justice: The Aftermath of Assad's Regime in Syria**
Calls for accountability intensify in Syria as citizens seek justice for the crimes committed under Assad's rule.
Umm Mazen, a mother from Douma, remains in anguish over the fate of her two sons arrested during the early years of Syria's civil war. The shadows of the Assad regime still loom large, as she grapples with varying degrees of loss: one son's death was confirmed, but the other remains unaccounted for. Her surviving son, Ahmed, suffered years of torment in the regime's security apparatus, including torture and imprisonment at Saydnaya prison, renowned for its brutality. "Divine justice is needed," Umm Mazen implores, reflecting a deep desire for accountability and fairness for the countless others who faced similar fates.
Advocates for justice, like lawyer Hussein Issa, face formidable challenges as they navigate a court system tainted by complicity with the regime. He asserts that numerous judges who collaborated with the previous government should be removed, while others might still contribute positively to the legal landscape moving forward. Achieving justice for the last five decades of atrocities remains a daunting task, but Issa believes a robust judicial system is imperative for Syria's future stability.
The new Deputy Minister of Justice, Khitam Haddad, acknowledges the need for a restructured judiciary but admits that addressing past regime crimes is not her priority yet. Despite the hopes for a better judicial system under new leadership, many are wary of the swift establishment of authority without democratic processes, fearing a replication of past authoritarian practices.
While some have resorted to summary justice against former regime figures, officials caution against individual retribution. The stark reality persists: the existing judicial structures remain steeped in the past regime's policies, causing doubt about their capacity to administer genuine justice to the victims of the Assad era.
As freedom tentatively blooms across Damascus, the populace cherishes the air of change, mingled with a hope for accountability and a just future. Cafes now buzz with conversations about what lies ahead, as the society strives to reconcile a painful history with the promise of a transformed Syria.
Advocates for justice, like lawyer Hussein Issa, face formidable challenges as they navigate a court system tainted by complicity with the regime. He asserts that numerous judges who collaborated with the previous government should be removed, while others might still contribute positively to the legal landscape moving forward. Achieving justice for the last five decades of atrocities remains a daunting task, but Issa believes a robust judicial system is imperative for Syria's future stability.
The new Deputy Minister of Justice, Khitam Haddad, acknowledges the need for a restructured judiciary but admits that addressing past regime crimes is not her priority yet. Despite the hopes for a better judicial system under new leadership, many are wary of the swift establishment of authority without democratic processes, fearing a replication of past authoritarian practices.
While some have resorted to summary justice against former regime figures, officials caution against individual retribution. The stark reality persists: the existing judicial structures remain steeped in the past regime's policies, causing doubt about their capacity to administer genuine justice to the victims of the Assad era.
As freedom tentatively blooms across Damascus, the populace cherishes the air of change, mingled with a hope for accountability and a just future. Cafes now buzz with conversations about what lies ahead, as the society strives to reconcile a painful history with the promise of a transformed Syria.
