Syria's oppressive regime has fallen, ending decades of tyranny and sparking hope for a future built on justice, dignity, and human rights.
This statement was originally published on scm.bz on 17 December 2024.
Following the resounding fall of the Syrian regime, Syria has ended decades of oppression, tyranny, corruption and the rule of a dominant family. Today, Syrians are living a historic moment that they have long awaited, and for which they have sacrificed the best of their sons and daughters who were arrested, tortured, killed and forcibly displaced from their homes
This moment is not only the end of an oppressive regime whose brutal crimes are known to the world, but also the beginning of a new era in which Syrians aspire to a life worthy of their human dignity, the sanctity of their rights, and their great and ongoing sacrifices.
Over the past decade, Syrians have paid a high price for the sake of freedom and dignity, as hundreds of thousands have been killed, millions have been displaced, and cities and villages have been leveled to the ground, while an entire generation has lived in the shadow of war, asylum and deprivation. These days, we remember with hearts filled with sadness and gratitude all the innocent victims, every detainee, every mother who lost her son, every child displaced by the war machine, and all those who dreamed of a free and dignified homeland that embraces all its sons and daughters.
The final fall of this regime constitutes a historical responsibility on all of us, individuals, organisations, and institutions, so that the sacrifices are not wasted, and the era of tyranny or the rule of one party or one individual does not return in any form.
Accordingly, we at the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, at this awaited moment, call for the following:
- Achieving comprehensive transitional justice: by holding accountable all those involved in crimes against humanity and war crimes, whether from the former regime or any other party during the years of conflict, establishing independent and impartial courts that establish a national path for accountability and ensure transparency and the absence of impunity, redressing the harm and compensating the victims, including providing fair compensation to those affected, whether they are families of victims, detainees, or displaced persons, establishing rehabilitation programs for survivors of torture and ill-treatment, revealing the fate of victims of enforced disappearance and missing persons, emphasizing the right of families to know the truth, ensuring that crimes and violations are not repeated, protecting human rights and preventing any future violations, by strengthening the role of civil society organizations and independent oversight and joining all international agreements that promote human rights and ensuring compliance with them.
- Returning refugees and displaced persons to their homes with dignity and safety: by developing urgent reconstruction plans, ensuring the return of refugees and displaced persons, and providing international guarantees to protect returnees and prevent any form of discrimination or revenge.
- Building a democratic system that reflects the aspirations of the Syrians: This includes drafting a new constitution that respects public and private rights and freedoms, and establishes a state of law, holding elections and monitoring by civil society organizations, and ensuring the freedom and integrity of the electoral process
- Renewing the Syrian social contract on the basis of justice and equality among citizens: by recognizing the cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of the Syrians, guaranteeing the rights of all citizens, promoting and respecting individual and public freedoms, and rejecting all forms of discrimination based on sect, race or political affiliation.
At this historic moment, we affirm that the fall of the regime is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new phase that requires awareness and responsibility to build Syria as we all dream of: a country of freedom, dignity, justice and respect for human rights.
Therefore, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression appeals to all political and military forces, international organizations, friendly nations, and all Syrians inside and outside the country, to unite their efforts to support this transitional phase to achieve the goals of the Syrian revolution for which Syrian men and women have sacrificed their most precious possessions.
We pledge to the souls of those who have departed and sacrificed, the pain of the detainees, and the sacrifices of the displaced, that we will continue to work tirelessly so that Syria will be a homeland that embraces all its sons and daughters. Without their ongoing struggles for decades, this change would not have been achieved, and the hope of a country free of tyranny and injustice would not have blossomed in the squares of our homeland.
Glory and laurels to the Syrian men and women, and their sacrifices for freedom, dignity, and the rule of law.
