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Damascus- The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR):
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the Country of Information (CoI) Report on the situation in Syria, assessing asylum applications submitted by Syrians and making decisions regarding the return of those whose applications were rejected. The report addressed several key areas, focusing particularly on the human rights situation, political developments, and security conditions, during the period from May 2025 to the end of December 2025.
The report relied on several human rights sources, most notably, listed in order of frequency of mentions:
UNHCR: 216 mentions.
SNHR: 148 mentions.
UNOCHA: 110 mentions.
It also relied on other sources, including: UNICEF, the International Red Cross, Human Rights Watch, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a number of local and international organizations, and some media outlets and newspapers.
The Network’s Review of the Report and its Highlights:
SNHR reviewed the 181-page report issued in January 2026. The following is a summary of its key findings:
The report stated that in 2025, Syria would not be under a unified central authority, but rather control would be divided among multiple military and administrative forces. In the northeast, structures led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would operate a parallel administration, while in Suwayda, there would be a semi-autonomous local government, and in the north, Turkish-backed factions would exert influence. Foreign interventions further complicate matters, leading to fragmented governance and the militarization of rule.
The report indicates that despite a decrease in the number of combat incidents in 2025, the security situation in Syria remained volatile and dangerous for civilians, with thousands of casualties continuing to be reported. Sectarian and local violence escalated in several governorates, alongside attacks by ISIS cells and counter-terrorism operations. Explosive remnants of war continue to threaten returnees and farmers, and cross-border attacks further exacerbate instability. The overall picture reflects a decline in large-scale battles but a persistent and multifaceted insecurity.
The report finds that the human rights environment remains fragile due to the weak rule of law, the multiplicity of authorities, and the dominance of security-based approaches. Arbitrary arrest is widespread, with detentions without warrants or fair trials, and the fate of detainees remains unknown. Cases of torture, deaths in custody, and poor conditions in detention centers are documented. In the northeast, camps and detention centers linked to ISIS raise additional concerns. Impunity is generally prevalent, and legal protection remains limited.
The report noted that the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 3,666 civilian deaths in Syria in 2025, including 328 children and 312 women, among them 32 people who died under torture. It also documented 1,108 cases of arbitrary arrest or detention in 2025.
The report concluded that risks persist regarding the possibility of a safe, voluntary, and sustainable return, as there is no comprehensive mechanism to monitor the situation of returnees. Furthermore, returns are hampered by issues related to documentation, housing, property ownership, damaged services, and the presence of remnants of war. The varying levels of local control also impose conflicting rules, making legal and security guarantees uncertain.
To view the full report from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please download it via the link. (The report is available in Dutch)
