On September 16, 2025, the Syrian Parliament voted to abolish the terrorism court that was established during Bashar al-Assad's presidency and annul the legal effects of its rulings. This decision is regarded as one of the first notable actions of the new parliament of the country.
Background of the Terrorism Court
The counter-terrorism court was established in 2012 to suppress the uprising against Bashar al-Assad's regime, and since then, thousands of Syrians have been prosecuted for terrorism-related offenses. This court acted as a tool for controlling and suppressing political opponents, and many of its rulings faced severe criticism from human rights advocates due to the lack of adequate judicial guarantees.
Abolition and Annulment of Rulings
This parliamentary action confirms the official abolition of the terrorism court, which the new Syrian authorities had previously declared inactive. In June 2025, Ahmad al-Shara, the President of Syria, issued a decree dismissing 67 judges who served in this court. Additionally, a legal declaration in March 2025 called for the annulment of the effects of the court's unjust rulings and the return of confiscated properties.
The UN Human Rights Committee stated in its 2024 report that the 2012 law establishing this court does not provide adequate judicial guarantees and raised concerns about arbitrary detentions, torture, and lack of independence of the court. The committee also noted that the court was allowed to deviate from normal procedures during prosecution and trial.
Consequences and International Reactions
Another report from the international, impartial, and independent mechanism in 2024 emphasized that the terrorism court was part of the judicial system through which detainees were prosecuted under the security agencies of the Assad era. This report meticulously documented extensive and systematic evidence of torture and mistreatment in the state detention system.
The vote on Wednesday took place in the early weeks of the first term of the new Syrian parliament, which was formed after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. This parliament held its first session in July and is currently reviewing the state of the country's schools and the sharp rise in fuel prices.
