The coordinator of the Refugees and Displaced Persons Group in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Ahmad Baccora, highlighted that the Assad regime has issued 24 amnesty decrees since the start of the Syrian Revolution in 2011, the latest of which was on September 22nd. He emphasized that these decrees have been used by the regime as tools for political manipulation and to circumvent international pressure, without bringing any real change to the situation in Syria.
Baccora explained in a blog on the Al Jazeera website that these decrees have systematically excluded political opponents and army defectors, who make up a significant portion of the population. He noted that the regime imposed impossible conditions on these groups, making it nearly impossible for them to benefit from the decrees, stressing that they are not seeking amnesty from a tyrant like Bashar al-Assad.
He added that the most recent Legislative Decree No. 27 is not significantly different from previous ones, as it explicitly excludes crimes that political opponents and dissidents are typically charged with, such as terrorism and high treason—charges often used to justify suppressing opposition.
Baccora also pointed out that the decree requires army defectors to surrender within a specified period without providing any guarantees for their safety or legal rights. He noted that security services are given unchecked discretionary power to implement the decree, with no independent judicial oversight, leaving the door open to serious human rights violations.
Baccora stressed that this situation deepens the mistrust between the Syrian people and the regime, especially after some individuals, believing in previous amnesty decrees, returned to regime-held areas only to face arrest, torture, enforced disappearance, or, in some cases, had their bodies returned to their families shortly after.
He noted that these painful experiences have led Syrians, both inside the country and in host nations, to understand that these decrees are nothing more than political maneuvers aimed at improving the regime’s image in the eyes of the international community without making genuine concessions.
Baccora further explained that, in light of these realities, Syrian refugees are facing increasing pressure to return home, with some parties hostile to refugees using these amnesty decrees as leverage. The media is often used to portray these decrees as genuine steps towards creating a safe environment for refugees to return.
He warned that this manipulation seeks to create unrest and social pressure on refugees in host countries, potentially pushing some to make ill-considered decisions to return without fully understanding the risks involved.
Baccora emphasized that refugees and displaced persons have the right to determine their future and should not be waiting for an amnesty from a regime responsible for their suffering. He cautioned that returning without real international guarantees poses a grave risk to their lives and freedom. He called on the international community and human rights organizations to provide legal protection for refugees, uphold the principle of non-refoulement, and offer psychological and social support to help them cope with the challenges and pressures they face.
He criticized the Assad regime for employing zero-sum strategies that block any progress in the political process. Baccora argued that giving the regime more chances to change its behavior is a waste of time and urged a focus on enforcing UN resolutions and applying pressure to initiate a genuine political transition that ensures the rights and aspirations of the Syrian people.
Baccora concluded that without a political solution, the crises in Syria will persist, worsening the suffering of millions of Syrians both inside and outside the country, while peace and stability will remain out of reach.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
