Determinants of Transitional Justice after the Fall of the Assad Regime (3 - 4)
January 3, 2025, 2:49 pm

Determinants of Transitional Justice after the Fall of the Assad Regime (3 - 4)

عبد الله تركماني

Objectives of Transitional Justice in Syria after the Change
Transitional justice aims to initiate comprehensive societal reconciliation so that future generations can enjoy a sound social environment, free from resentments or revenge-seeking. It is also necessary for the success of the democratic transition process, recognition of the victims of the previous period, and prevention of recurrence of past atrocities. Additionally, it seeks to provide justice for the victims of the authoritarian regime and its leaders’ violations, especially during the Syrian revolution, and to compensate them for the harm they suffered.

The objective and methodology of transitional justice institutions is to strive towards achieving comprehensive justice during the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, addressing the legacy of human rights violations, and assisting the Syrian people in their political transition to achieve a more just and democratic future. This is pursued through a dual goal of accountability for past crimes and preventing new crimes from occurring, based on a strategy that focuses on rebuilding a homeland for the future that accommodates all components of the Syrian people, built on respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

While concepts and mechanisms of transitional justice are considered urgent necessities for countries and peoples that have undergone radical changes in their political, economic, and social systems, the need for them in Syria today is more pressing. This necessity arises due to several objective reasons, primarily the nature and methodology of the familial authority that has ruled Syria for 54 years, which has executed actions and strategies unlike anything seen in recent history, not only in its repressive and authoritarian approach but also in how it managed state affairs and institutions, and the closed fascist ideological approach that colored those institutions and society as a whole. Another reason compelling Syria to adopt transitional justice institutions and implement their concepts lies in the magnitude and nature of the heavy legacy that the authoritarian regime has left the Syrian people. Additionally, the risks posed by the current de facto authority led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham further underscore the importance of establishing transitional justice institutions to address all remnants of the past as a remedy for dealing with the consequences of the fallen regime, particularly human rights violations.

The most significant challenge facing the democratic transition in Syria is the necessity of conducting a comprehensive national dialogue on how to deal with the past within the framework of transitional justice, ensuring that everything is done under state supervision, involving civil society institutions, leading to increased legal awareness and enhancing the rights culture regarding the importance of dealing—both humanely and legally—with the past in a manner that avoids reactions such as revenge, vendetta, or fostering factors of hatred and animosity. For the mission of transitional justice and its implementers to succeed, a timeframe must be set to track those responsible for serious criminal violations, seek the truth, and work towards compensating victims and rectifying material and moral damages, as well as achieving genuine reconciliations and comprehensive institutional reforms in legal, judicial, and security domains.

Transitional justice is supposed to investigate the chain of command and hold accountable those who ordered killings, and then address other individuals and elements who, although they participated in oppression, did so under orders or out of fear of their leaders' revenge. Transitional justice is in the interest of civilian victims and society as a whole; achieving this justice is pivotal in reintegrating these individuals into their communities, and acknowledging their actions helps them regain self-respect, and even accepting punishment, if it occurs, will enable them to free themselves from the heavy burden they will carry for the rest of their lives. Ultimately, a genuine reconciliation with society will end decades of oppression, persecution, and fear.

Three necessities and justifications can be outlined for uncovering the truth:
1. The desire of the victims and their families to know the answers to questions such as: Why did all this happen? Who is responsible? Why did all those violations occur? Where is the truth? Where are the victims buried? and other legitimate human concerns.
2. The wish to not erase the past; since the past forms the basis of the present and future, it is essential to unify and document the memory, and it is necessary to know the details of what happened to ensure we do not forget.
3. The desire to know the full truth with all its elements, raising the question: Is it possible to know everything? Can we comprehend what happened with the passage of time?

In Syria, the path of justice and accountability is "not only in the interest of the presumed victims from the revolution and the opposition and civilians who were killed by the regime's machinery, whose homes were destroyed, and who were cast into unemployment and displacement. It is also in the interest of the larger segment of the repressive apparatus itself, particularly those who were not convinced of all the crimes and heinous acts they committed.”

Most Syrians do not wish to hang nooses and do not reject pardoning certain cases if this pardon will prevent the Syrian community from falling once again into the abyss from

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.