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Lawyers and activists protest in Aleppo demanding accountability for Assad regime judges
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The continued presence of judges accused of committing violations hinders transitional justice efforts, emphasizing the need to purge judicial institutions to ensure the independence of decisions and
Today, around the courthouse in Aleppo, a protest took place with participation from several lawyers and civil activists, demanding accountability for judges accused of colluding with the security forces of the former regime.
The protesters raised banners calling for the dismissal of judges named in human rights reports, accusing them of involvement in violations against detainees in recent years. They emphasized the need for impartial investigations to uncover those responsible for these abuses, preparing for their prosecution under legal frameworks.
Participants stressed that the continued presence of judicial figures involved in past practices undermines the prospects of achieving transitional justice and delays the reform of the judicial system, which is the cornerstone of ensuring judicial independence and ending the culture of impunity.
These actions coincide with growing demands from the families of detainees and the missing, who have been calling for years to uncover the fate of their loved ones and hold those responsible for arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances accountable, amid a lack of clear official response.
In a related development, on April 6, 2025, a protest was held in the Syrian capital, Damascus, by graduates of medical, pharmacy, and engineering colleges, rejecting a decision requiring them to pass a national exam as a condition for obtaining their university degrees.
The protesters chanted slogans such as "Not national, but burdensome" and "Our sit-in is peaceful, our demand is legitimate," affirming that the protest aims to annul the decision, which they view as an additional barrier to their graduation without directly affecting the quality of education or the competency of the graduates.
The demonstrators called on the relevant authorities to reconsider the decision, proposing alternative solutions to ensure academic competency standards without imposing arbitrary obstacles that affect their professional future amid Syria's economic and social challenges.
