A new report from CIHRS details how exclusionary policies are marginalizing Syria's civil society and calls for reforms to secure an inclusive and democratic transition.
This statement was originally published on cihrs.org on 3 November 2025.
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) released a report today, titled ‘We can’t sit back and wait’: Syria’s transition through the eyes of civil society. Drawing on thirty interviews with civil society actors working in Syria and in the diaspora, legal and policy analysis, and desk research, the report examines both the opportunities and the growing threats facing civil society’s participation in Syria’s transition.
“Civil society is one of the greatest assets for building a democratic and peaceful Syria. Its expertise and deep community trust are indispensable for saving the country from further division and disintegration. The Syrian Transitional Government, the international community, as well as civic actors themselves, must act now to ensure that civil society is a central force in shaping Syria’s path forward,” says Amna Guellali, Research Director at CIHRS.
The fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024 marked a turning point in Syrians’ long struggle for democracy, dignity, and freedom, after decades of authoritarianism and repression. However, prospects for an inclusive transition are being undermined by the exclusionary governance of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), persistent insecurity, sectarian massacres, and foreign military interventions by Israel and Turkey. Many interviewees feared that the transition could perpetuate authoritarian practices under a new guise. Despite years of sustained work by Syrian civil society organizations on proposals for the political and legal framework of the transition and the post-conflict period, many of these actors have been sidelined, relegated to decorative roles in the National Dialogue and the constitution-drafting process, rather than being treated as genuine partners in shaping Syria’s democratic future.
All interviewees reported a general widening in space for civil society operations after the fall of the Assad regime, allowing for a larger margin in freedom of expression, association and movement. However, they listed registration and activity approval requirements as key obstacles hindering their operations. Civil society actors have called for a legal framework consistent with international human rights standards.
Beyond mapping these constraints, the report analyses how STG policies and legislation affect civil society organizations’ internal structures and relationships, as groups adopt differing approaches towards engagement with the government, and as the rise in sectarian rhetoric and violence exacerbates tensions within civil society, with some interviewees reporting the straining of relationships with partners as a result.
“Syrians might accept that this period requires difficult decisions, but what we need are transparent discussions and clear information. The way things are being handled does not indicate any intention for partnership; it simply shows that there is a leader, and everyone else is expected to fall in line”.
Bakri Zeneldeen from Madaniya, a Syrian initiative aimed at enhancing the political agency of the Syrian civic space. It is a network of over 200 organizations.
The report concludes with targeted recommendations to strengthen civic participation in Syria’s transition. It calls on:
- The STG to repeal restrictive laws, align legislation with international human rights standards, and establish a transparent reform roadmap consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254;
- Civil society, even without state support, to continue building coalitions and advancing peacebuilding, memorialization, and advocacy at the community level;
- International partners to provide sustained political, financial, and technical support to Syrian civil society, and to use diplomatic engagement to promote its inclusion in decision-making processes.
The report emphasizes that Syrians must be at the forefront of shaping their own future. Genuine civic participation is essential for a credible transition, lasting peace, and social reconstruction. Failure to enact the necessary reforms risks repeating the mistakes of other regime transitions where exclusion and centralization of power led to renewed instability and entrenched repression.
