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Damascus – The Syrian Network for Human Rights
The UK Home Office issued a Country Policy and Information Note on April 14, 2026, providing a comprehensive policy assessment of the political landscape and human rights situation following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Specifically, the report covers the transitional period from December 2024 to early 2026, specifically mid-February. The memorandum aims to guide decision-makers on asylum issues by assessing the changing state of civil liberties, media freedom, and the risks faced by political critics and former opponents of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham under the interim government headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The report stated that since the start of the transition period in 2024, freedom of expression has expanded, but its limits remain unclear, and organized opposition is absent. It added that there is no systematic government persecution, although selective arrests have been documented. The report, which assesses the situation in the countries of origin of asylum seekers, believes that asylum applications from Syrians require individual assessments based on the specific facts of each case, and indicates that these applications are unlikely to be classified as “manifestly unfounded” under UK immigration law.
The report addressed Syria’s 2025 Constitutional Declaration, which included fundamental freedoms but simultaneously allowed for vague restrictions based on “national security” or “morality.” Although many of the media laws in place under Assad have been suspended, Law No. 93 remains in effect, enabling state censorship of civil society. Critics also highlight the absence of judicial oversight, democratic principles, and legal protections for dissidents in Syria.
The report stated that Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, mentioned in a research paper that provides a critical reading of the Syrian Constitutional Declaration: ‘… [A]rticle [23] allows for broad restrictions to be imposed on fundamental rights and liberties on the basis of nebulous grounds, such as “national security, territorial integrity, public safety, the protection of public order and the prevention of crime, or the protection of public health or morals,” while neither clearly defining the criteria of necessity and proportionality nor establishing clear mechanisms for judicial review … Regarding rights and freedoms, Article 23 of the constitutional declaration in its current form lacks necessary safeguards, using vague terms such as “national security”, “public order”, and “public morals”, which allows for arbitrary interpretations that could be used to curtail fundamental freedoms.’ He added: ‘… [T]he constitutional declaration contains no explicit reference to fundamental concepts and principles that one would expect in a document intended to guide democratic transition. Most notably, it does not mention popular sovereignty, a principle that formed the cornerstone of previous Syrian constitutions and is a key foundation of modern democratic theory … In addition, the word “democracy” is found nowhere in the declaration’s text, raising questions about the genuineness of the commitment to democratic principles. This linguistic omission is coupled with a clear disregard for many basic democratic rights, such as the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully, the right to strike and form independent labour unions, the right to access government information, and the right to effective political participation through genuine elections. Absent these rights, a truly democratic system cannot exist. The declaration further ignores the need to establish participatory mechanisms that ensure real popular participation in drafting the country’s permanent constitution, whether civic education programmes, broad popular consultations, or public referendums.’
The report notes that post-Assad Syria experienced an initial surge in freedom of expression and open political debate, before this space subsequently narrowed with the emergence of “red lines” related to religion and security, leading to increased self-censorship. It also points out that press freedom improved significantly, with journalists moving freely and reporting on previously taboo topics. However, patronage networks persist, with the government favoring pro-government influencers while imposing bureaucratic obstacles, such as short-term permits and territorial restrictions, on independent media. The report argues that the transitional government’s response to criticism is selective and inconsistent, alternating between tolerance and repression. As public protests intensified, authorities arrested activists, journalists, and demonstrators, particularly in Hama and coastal areas. Minorities also face a heightened risk of being accused of treason or working for foreign powers.
The report stated that Fadel Abdulghany said: “It’s true there is complexity and bureaucracy. They [the government] should be more transparent and this law does need to be changed,” Fadel Abdulghany, “But that happens everywhere.” he explained. “SNHR is now registered in Syria, works freely and is able to be critical of the state, Abdulghany said. And he pointed out that it was important to consider context. “Syria is still devastated from conflict and look at what we inherited from the Assad regime – corruption, lack of funding, lack of experience, destroyed institutions,” he added. “I’ve met with ministers, I’ve visited the ministries and they all say they want reform. But it’s not easy.”
The report relied on several human rights sources, most notably the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, in addition to international bodies such as the Danish Immigration Service and the European Union Asylum Agency, which rely mainly on data from the Syrian Network for Human Rights.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights affirms its continued readiness to contribute to the reports of countries and international organizations on the human rights situation in Syria, and will exert maximum efforts to convey violations and incidents objectively and credibly, in order to protect civilians, hold all perpetrators of violations accountable, and open a path towards democracy.
