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Damascus – the Syrian Network for Human Rights:
On Friday, July 18, 2025, a number of civil activists were subjected to physical and verbal abuse while participating in a peaceful protest in front of the People’s Assembly building in the capital Damascus, as part of a call to stop the escalating violence in the province of Suwayda and to demand the protection of civilians and the promotion of civil peace in the country.
According to what the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented through direct testimonies from participants and eyewitnesses, a number of civilians, some of whom were carrying wooden sticks, attacked the peaceful protesters minutes after the protest ended. They beat and verbally abused them, causing physical injuries and widespread panic among the participants, including women and prominent civil society activists. Despite the incident taking place in a busy area of the capital, security forces and police nearby did not intervene to protect the protesters or arrest the attackers. No campaign was launched to pursue or arrest the perpetrators, despite the fact that some of them were clearly visible in videos circulated on social media.
This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of activists’ right to peaceful assembly and expression of opinion, and at the same time reflects the failure of the authorities to protect protesters and pursue the attackers, highlighting legal and institutional gaps that require urgent attention to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and prevent the recurrence of such violations.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights affirms that protecting peaceful civil activism is a legal, moral, and constitutional obligation and must be an integral part of the process of building institutions based on the rule of law and the guarantee of rights, in line with the aspirations of Syrians after long years of repression and violations.
Recommendations:
First: To the Syrian transitional government:
- Open an immediate and independent criminal investigation into the attack, publish its findings, and hold all those involved accountable, including the direct perpetrators and any parties that facilitated or failed to perform their duty to protect.
- Guarantee respect for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and work to review and amend laws and regulations governing public events in line with international human rights standards.
- Issue an official circular to security forces and government institutions emphasizing the obligation to respect and protect peaceful protests and prevent any unofficial parties from interfering with or attacking civilians.
- Establish a formal and independent complaints mechanism that allows citizens and activists to report any attacks or threats they face during their civic activities.
Second: To security authorities and police institutions:
- Take all necessary preventive measures to protect peaceful gatherings, including deploying visible, unarmed security personnel and training them on how to deal with civil events in accordance with United Nations principles.
- Ensure an immediate response to any threat or attack targeting civil activists, regardless of the identity or background of the attacker.
