Why Many Syrians Feel Assad Death Sentence Isn't Enough

In the aftermath of Syria's 2013 chemical weapons attack on the Ghouta region, Huda Khayti, a Syrian women's rights activist, has struggled to cope with the trauma of losing her family and her home. The city of Douma, central to the attack, has since been heavily damaged during the ongoing civil war. Khayti has been visiting Douma, working on opening a new women's center in the city, but the scars of war remain evident.

The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in late 2024, prompting the start of a process to hold the regime's high-ranking members accountable for their alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. In August, a Damascus court sentenced Assad to death in absentia, along with other officials, for premeditated murder, torture, and depriving individuals of their liberty.

Many observers see the conviction as a significant step towards justice, though the lack of extradition prospects and the potential immunity of the sentenced individuals cast doubt on the process.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights estimates that nearly 235,000 civilians were killed during the civil war, with Assad's regime and its allies responsible for the majority of deaths. Additionally, the network documents over 181,000 cases of arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance, as well as 45,339 deaths resulting from torture. Chemical weapons attacks by Assad's regime are also estimated at 217.

For women's rights activist Khayti, the procedural aspects of transitional justice must extend beyond the courtroom, focusing on the experiences of victims, survivors, and those affected by the crimes. It is crucial that victims participate in the transitional justice process voluntarily and without fear of retribution, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.