Damascus | Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation
On May 28, 2025, the Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation in Damascus organized a seminar titled “Transitional Justice in Liberated Syria: Present Challenges and Future Prospects.” Twelve participants, including judges, lawyers, civil activists, and businesspeople (among them two women), attended to discuss the challenges of transitional justice and crystallize priorities for the upcoming phase.
Building Peace and Justice: Themes and Recommendations
The seminar aimed to open a frank discussion on challenges, while reviewing international experiences in transitional justice. The sessions included a definition of the concept, a discussion on security and legal challenges, and workshops to identify priorities such as documenting violations, accountability, compensation, and victim support.
Discussions highlighted the importance of community mediation (such as reconciliation committees in northwest Syria) and its role in conflict resolution. Female participants also stressed the necessity of accountability and not neglecting it, and attendees called for immediate measures to restore confiscated rights and properties.
The seminar concluded with key recommendations calling for:
- Supporting community mediation.
- Launching practical steps for transparent accountability of perpetrators of violations.
- Forming a group of human rights experts for follow-up.
- Organizing awareness workshops on transitional justice.
- Benefiting from international experiences.
The trainer, lawyer Rami Numan, affirmed that transitional justice is a fundamental entry point for building peace and stability. The seminar emphasized that building Syria’s future requires comprehensive justice that considers the specificities of society and includes women’s participation to ensure accountability and the restoration of rights.
The seminar concluded that building Syria’s future requires justice that considers the specificities of society, relies on local tools, includes women’s participation, and ensures accountability. Furthermore, achieving justice is not limited to accountability but also includes restoring dignity to victims, reclaiming rights and properties, and building trust in new institutions.
“Building a homeland is not just a slogan to be raised, but a responsibility we are honored to bear, and work we share to achieve progress and prosperity.” – A Participant
For more details: Steps Center Holds Dialogue Seminar on Transitional Justice in Syria
