Extrajudicial Killings and "Taking Justice into Own Hands" Threatens New Syria
The absence of institutional justice and delay in activating criminal courts serves as a main factor in the spread of field executions and extrajudicial killings
January 13, 2025, 8:45 pm

انتشار التطرف في سوريا \ تعبيرية \ مصممة بالذكاء الاصطناعي

The extrajudicial killing of Damascus's Dummar district chief, Mazen Keneina, has captured public attention following the circulation of a video documenting details of his field execution.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Keneina was involved in writing security reports and causing the arrest of young men from Dummar who were subjected to torture in the former regime's prisons.

Several Syrian regions have witnessed similar incidents targeting figures associated with the former regime and its security apparatus, amid the absence of clear judicial accountability mechanisms.

Syrian human rights advocate Mohammed Al-Abdullah, director of the Justice and Accountability Center in Washington, attributes the growing phenomenon of "taking justice into one's own hands" to the absence of security forces and authorities from daily life.

Syrian lawyer residing in Damascus, Aref Al-Shaal, indicated that Syria is experiencing a dangerous security breakdown, with increasing crimes of murder, theft, and kidnapping.

Experts believe that the suspension of criminal, felony, and military courts contributes to the crisis's escalation, along with the continued constitutional and legislative vacuum.

Several activists criticized the excessive amnesty policy, warning of the dangers of random revenge on Syrian society's cohesion.

Analysts confirm that achieving stability in Syria requires establishing special courts and activating the role of law, away from revenge and vendetta policies.

International and regional efforts continue to support stability in Syria, with a ministerial meeting being held in Riyadh to discuss the current situation.

Human rights organizations emphasize the necessity of establishing an independent judicial system that ensures fair trials and prevents the repetition of past violations.

Observers confirmed that the continuation of security chaos could undermine stability restoration efforts and threaten the future of the new Syria.

Levant-Agencies

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