“Civil Society Spotlight” is a series aiming at highlighting and contextualising the voices of Syrian civil society organizations, activists, journalists, and people who advocate for positive solutions, human rights, democratic values, and social justice.
Context
The period following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024 witnessed extreme polarization. Numerous violent incidents occurred among Syrians, with a rise in hate speech against specific regions, communities and public figures - including journalists, politicians, writers, civil society activists, and influencers. Perhaps the most prominent incident was the attack on 18 July 2025 against a group of young men and women during a peaceful protest in front of Parliament, against the bloody clashes in the southern Syrian province of Sweida, unfolding in the same period.
In addition, the Syrian transitional government issued decrees described as restrictive of public and personal freedoms. The most recent was on 16 March 2026, when the Damascus Governorate imposed strict restrictions on the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the capital. This was met with widespread rejection and outrage from Syrian civil society activists, considering it a restriction on individual liberties.
To reclaim rights and defend civil liberties, many activists have turned to the judiciary. They argue that, under Syria’s transitional phase and the 2025 Interim Constitutional Declaration, the legal path is the most legitimate avenue, one consistent with the principles of a modern state and the rule of law. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains contingent on securing judicial independence, enacting legislative reform, and dismantling the legacy of authoritarianism. Success in this arena is critical to ensuring citizens rely on institutional frameworks rather than resorting to extra-judicial forms of protest.
While some did not conceal their criticism of the reality of law enforcement and the weakness of the judicial system, others expressed concern that the state of freedoms in Syria is being influenced by political trends that, in their view, lean towards more religiously conservative models, despite their own recourse to the judiciary and their efforts to establish the principle of law to obtain their rights.
Promoting a culture of law
After SyriaUntold conducted extensive research on social media platforms, it became clear that most attempts to confront the situation and reclaim rights were primarily through legal channels.
This was the case when activists who organized a protest in front of the Syrian Parliament building in Damascus on 18 July 2025, were attacked, as a direct reaction to the security tensions that quickly escalated into massacres and grave violations in mid-July 2025 in Sweida.
Despite their calls to stop the bloodshed, end the fighting and sectarian divisions, and prioritize dialogue, a group of young men launched a violent attack with sticks, verbally assaulting them with insults and accusations of treason. This resulted in several injuries, prompting the activists to seek legal recourse. The government has not responded to the demands from civil society organizations (such as the Syrian Network for Human Rights) to prosecute the attackers. On 14 February, the activists, accompanied by their lawyers, attended the first hearing in their case at the Palace of Justice in Damascus.
Syrian women struggle against corruption in NGOs
04 March 2026
Hussein Issa, a lawyer for the plaintiff, said that the legal basis for the lawsuit is the attack on public freedoms, in addition to beatings and insults, up to defamation via social media. This case is covered by Presidential Decree No. (39) of 2026, which stipulates granting a general amnesty for crimes committed before 18 February, even if the personal right is not waived, but there remain two legal paths: the public right, and the personal right related to compensation.
“We are not seeking financial compensation”, lawyer Issa told SyriaUntold. “Our main goal is to send a message to society: we want to promote a culture of law, and we believe that disputes are not resolved by violence, but by dialogue and resorting to the judiciary. We also consider this lawsuit as a real test if our rights are violated, especially in light of the spread of some worrying phenomena, such as the culture of revenge, or the mentality of ‘whoever is not with me is against me’, or the dominance of preconceived judgments over the law”.
Regarding the procedures, there was a good initial response, Issa added. "A petition was submitted to the Public Prosecution, statements were taken from 12 people, and the facts were documented. Photographs of some of those involved were obtained, and one of them was identified through the efforts of the plaintiffs, and based on that, the lawsuit was filed against him". He noted that "currently, the case is still ongoing, although we are aware that it may be covered by a presidential pardon".
He said they don't know if resorting to the judiciary after Assad's fall can be an effective tool for protecting freedoms, but they have genuine concerns, which is understandable. "We have clear and explicit legal texts, and we are trying to use them to see how they will be applied in practice".
Lawsuits against "inciters"
In a similar vein, a protest outside the Ministry of Energy in Damascus on 29 January 2026 - sparked by a hike in electricity prices - triggered a sharp backlash. In the aftermath, several Syrian 'content creators' and activists launched a scathing campaign against Damascus residents. The rhetoric was filled with mockery, accusing the protesters of treason and labeling them as 'shabiha' or loyalists of the former regime.
On 4 February, two lawyers sued influencers Shazar al-Zoubi and Ahmad Sheikh Ahmad for inciting regionalism and spreading hate speech against Damascenes. The lawsuit, based on cybercrime and hate speech laws, demands legal accountability, arguing that the influencers' social media posts directly threaten Syria's civil peace.
Among the plaintiffs was Syrian content creator Abdul Rahman Taqi al-Saghir, who announced legal action against them. However, eight of the ten lawyers quickly withdrew after receiving death threats against themselves and their families on 2 February. Activist Taqi al-Saghir also deleted his Facebook post and was arrested on 5 February while attempting to leave the country, allegedly due to a complaint filed against him. According to media reports, the complaint was filed by Syrian businessman Mohammed Hamsho, close to the Assad regime, over the content of a critical video about him on social media.
In general, the legal action here appears to be yielding somewhat positive results, as some of the accused activists (such as Shazar al-Zoubi) later deleted the offensive videos and attempted to offer "clarifications" or apologies, claiming their words were taken out of context. Both lawyers confirmed that the lawsuit would continue because "the offense was committed and had a societal impact". Nevertheless, there are no tangible results from the case so far, as it remains under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Court, specifically the Cybercrime Chamber.
In another incident, on 4 February 2026, journalist and activist Eiad Charabji announced a lawsuit for damages against lawyer Rashid Abdel Jalil. The move follows a previous case filed by Abdel Jalil, who had accused Charabji of defamation and inciting sectarian strife, charges that led to the journalist's brief detention. Charabji confirmed he is actively pursuing the legal proceedings, emphasizing that he will not tolerate any delays in the judicial process.
Filing lawsuits against the Government
Continuing down the same path, an official decision issued by the Damascus Governorate on 17 March, imposing strict restrictions on the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Damascus and limiting them to predominantly Christian areas, sparked widespread controversy among Syrians and particularly ignited anger in the streets of Damascus. A group of civil society activists organized a silent sit-in on 22 March 2026, in Bab Touma.
The most prominent voices in the street and within civil society rejected the decision on human rights and economic grounds, as stated by Mohammed al-Abdullah, executive director of the Syrian Center for Justice and Accountability. He warned that the decision would entrench regional and sectarian discrimination, expressing his apprehension about a series of similar previous decisions (such as imposing "more modest" dress codes on beaches in Latakia), reflecting a trend among the new authorities to impose restrictions on personal freedoms.
Some participants in the sit-in were subjected to assault and verbal abuse, and several journalists were stopped and detained while carrying out their work. In response, the Justice for All team, a human rights organization dedicated to defending civil liberties and combating hate speech, volunteered their assistance. On 24 March, the organization issued a statement documenting the protest and detailing their intervention. They provided legal counsel for one detainee, Badr al-Din Juha, accompanying him throughout his detention and representing him until his eventual release.
This bridge is not enough for peace
23 March 2026
Lawyer Aref al-Shaal told SyriaUntold that "sit-ins may make a voice heard, but only the judiciary can change reality". He added that the judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law, protecting rights and freedoms and redressing grievances. If it fails to act or faces obstacles, the legal avenues for citizens are cut off, forcing them to resort to protest methods outside of institutional frameworks. He believes it faces major challenges, most notably the legacy of despotism and the encroachment of executive power at its expense, which has stripped institutions of their independence and effectiveness.
On 6 April, the Justice for All team announced it was following up on the case of a female protester at the Bab Touma sit-in who was subjected to verbal abuse and violations of her dignity and right to freedom of expression. The team offered legal support to protect her, but she chose not to pursue legal action, preferring forgiveness.
A liquor shop owner, talking to SyriaUntold anonymously, is suing the Damascus Governorate to save the business he has run for decades. He views the new restrictions as unconstitutional and a threat to the pluralistic values he has always promoted. While he acknowledges the judiciary's flaws, he believes the courts are functional enough to hear his case. For him, the lawsuit is a vital protest against the transitional government's shift toward the rigid social models of Iran and Afghanistan.
In its latest civil action, the Justice for All team announced its participation as an observer in the 17 April sit-in in front of the Damascus Governorate building. Called for by Syrians under the banner Sit-in for Law and Dignity, it aims to demand their rights in light of government policies they perceive as restricting freedoms and exacerbating living conditions. It also seeks to emphasize the need to respect the dignity and fundamental rights of Syrian citizens and guarantee their security.
Justice for All confirmed that a team of lawyers and experts will document the sit-in proceedings and monitor any violations or incitement, as part of its support for and protection of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Syria. The organization will issue a human rights report later and affirmed its commitment to protecting freedoms in accordance with legal and international standards.
Mazen Darwish, a lawyer and head of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, praised this initiative, considering that the presence of an independent and professional legal team to monitor such actions within the framework of the right to peaceful expression deserves support and appreciation, due to its role in promoting transparency and building trust. He added that all parties can benefit from this work: protecting rights and ensuring their respect.
To assess the effectiveness of the legal path, lawyer Aref al-Shaal, a supporter of this approach, says, "Sit-ins may amplify the voice, but only the judiciary can change reality". He argues that the judiciary is the cornerstone of a state governed by the rule of law, protecting rights and freedoms and redressing grievances. If the judiciary falters or faces obstacles, the legal avenues for citizens are cut off, forcing them to resort to protest methods outside institutional frameworks. He believes the judiciary faces major challenges, most notably the legacy of despotism and the encroachment of executive power upon it, which has stripped institutions of their independence and effectiveness.
From this perspective, according to al-Shaal's interview with SyriaUntold, resorting to the judiciary to rectify administrative errors not only protects individual rights but also places the judicial authority before its constitutional responsibilities, contributes to empowering it to fulfill its designated role, and is a fundamental step towards restoring public trust in the judiciary and strengthening the rule of law.
For his part, international law specialist Al-Mu’tasim Al-Kilani believes that the legal path is the most appropriate means to demand rights, in accordance with the 2025 interim constitutional declaration and international human rights, compared to traditional forms of protest. However, Kilani, links the effectiveness of this process to the independence of the judiciary and its ability to apply the law transparently, amidst the legacy of authoritarianism, the influence of outdated provisions in the penal code, and the risks of restricting rights in the name of “public security” or “protecting stability”. He pointed out that citizens face practical challenges such as slow procedures, high litigation costs, and weak legal awareness, which limit their ability to access effective redress.
Kilani concluded that the legal process in Syria today is essential because it is part of a broader system for establishing the rule of law and guaranteeing rights and freedoms. It operates within a complex transitional environment facing structural challenges, and its success depends on the political will to reform institutions, ensure the independence of the judiciary, modernize legislation, and support the role of civil society.
List of civil society organizations and key activists included in this article:
Aref Al-Shaal (Lawyer)
Al-Mu'tasim Al-Kilani (International Law Specialist)
Shazar Al-Zoubi (Influencer)
Abdul Rahman Taqi Al-Saghir (Content Creator)
Eiad Charbaji (Journalist)
Justice for All Organization
Rashid Abdul Jalil (Lawyer)
Mohammad Al Abdallah (Human Rights Activist and Director of the Syrian Center for Justice and Accountability)
Syrian Center for Justice and Accountability
Badr Al-Din Juha (Activist)
Syrian Network for Human Rights
Mazen Darwish (Lawyer and Head of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression
