Syrian Commission Seeks Truth, Reparations for 177,000 Enforced Disappearances

Syria is confronting the legacy of mass enforced disappearances and human rights violations following the fall of the Assad regime, with the newly established National Commission for Transitional Justice playing a central role in revealing the truth, ensuring accountability, and providing reparations to victims. Thousands of missing children, forcibly separated from detained families and placed in orphanages or foster homes without proper identification, remain a critical issue highlighting the challenges of transitional justice in the country. The transitional government, under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has taken steps such as issuing presidential decrees to form commissions tasked with investigating disappearances and addressing the broader legacy of repression, while civil society stresses the need for a transparent, inclusive national framework to ensure victims' active participation. Reports estimate that over 177,000 people were forcibly disappeared during the conflict, with the former regime responsible for the vast majority of cases, underscoring the scale of trauma faced by Syrian society. This process is seen as a vital test of the new authorities' commitment to justice, truth, and national reconciliation after decades of authoritarian rule and conflict. The efforts to establish a comprehensive justice pathway are also focused on harmonizing institutional reforms and ensuring that all affected groups are represented and informed throughout the process.