Syria Parliament Votes to Abolish Assad-Era Terrorism Court, Nullify Rulings
The move formalizes the court’s abolition after U.N. bodies cited arbitrary detention, torture and weak judicial guarantees in its 2012 law.
- On Wednesday, Sept 16, Syria's parliament voted to abolish the Assad-era Counter-Terrorism Court, nullifying the legal effects of its previous rulings in a major legislative action by the new assembly.
- Established in 2012 by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to suppress uprisings, the court prosecuted thousands of Syrians; the United Nations Human Rights Committee reported in 2024 that it lacked judicial guarantees.
- This vote formalizes the court's abolition after authorities had already treated it as defunct; in June 2025, President Ahmed al-Sharaa dismissed 67 judges who served in the "abolished Counter-Terrorism Court."
- Syria's March 2025 constitutional declaration mandated reversing the court's unjust rulings, specifically targeting property confiscation and aiming to restore confiscated assets to victims.
- Formed in July, the new parliament is asserting authority through legislative oversight, recently holding a hearing with Education Minister Mohammad Abdul Rahman Tarkou on school conditions and planning to question the energy minister on fuel prices.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Syria's parliament votes to scrap Assad-era terrorism court, nullify rulings
Syria's parliament voted to abolish a counter-terrorism court established in 2012. This court was reportedly used to prosecute thousands of anti-Assad Syrians on terrorism charges. The decision formalizes the court's abolition after new authorities treated it as defunct. The United Nations Human Rights Committee had raised concerns over judicial guarantees and fair trials. This vote occurred after opposition forces removed Bashar al-Assad from p…
Today, the People ' s Assembly unanimously adopted the draft law on the abolition of the Terrorism Court and the annulment of its effects during its third session of the first special session.
The Counter-Terrorism Court was established in 2012, at a time when Bashar al-Assad was attempting to quell the uprising against his regime.
Al-Monitor
Syria parliament votes to abolish Assad-era terrorism court, nullify rulings
DAMASCUS, Sept 16 - Syria's parliament voted on Wednesday to abolish an Assad-era terrorism court and nullify the legal effects of its rulings, state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV reported, in one of the first significant legislative moves by the country's new assembly.The Counter-Terrorism Court was established in 2012 as then-President Bashar al-Assad sought to suppress an uprising against his rule, and it was used to prosecute thousands of Syrians for …
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