Events in Syria have been accelerating at a rapid pace, but there is no doubt that May was a surprising, momentous month: after 14 years of economic turmoil in Syria, the sanctions were finally lifted. The Syrian streets had not witnessed celebrations like those on Tuesday, May 13, since the fall of the Assad regime in December of last year.
As soon as US President Donald Trump announced from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, his intention to lift sanctions on Syria, Syrians took to public squares in many cities across the country to celebrate. There is little scepticism that this decision – which was entirely unexpected based on previous indicators – will lead to economic relief and start the reconstruction process after years of war that devastated both people and infrastructure alike.
Relief and renewal: sanctions lifted
Lifting the sanctions on Syria and reintegrating it into the global financial system will, over time, resolve the country’s electricity and energy problems. It will encourage Syrians to restart their businesses or launch new ones, as well as attract Syrian, Arab, and international investors to finance various sectors across the country. This will create numerous job opportunities and, consequently, generate income that will improve people's living conditions. Additionally, allowing imports and exports will help stimulate the economy, boost productivity, and enhance healthcare services by making it easier to access modern medicines and medical equipment.
Days after the US decision, the EU and Japan also followed suit. On 28 May, the European Union Council adopted legal measures to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Syria – a historic step aimed at supporting the Syrian people in the phase of reconstruction and political transition. Two days later, Japan announced the removal of four national banks from the list of entities whose assets had previously been frozen.
In a historic step toward rebuilding its deteriorated infrastructure, on 29 May, Syria signed the largest agreement in the history of its energy sector, valued at $7 billion (according to Syrian media). The deal includes the construction of four cutting-edge power plants using American and European technology, plus a solar power station. The projects are expected to be up and running within three years, and will eventually meet over half of Syria’s energy needs, as well as create 50,000 direct jobs and another 250,000 indirectly. Many Syrians considered the moment the contract was signed a historic one: a step toward rebuilding deteriorated infrastructure, with which most people have had to make do with just a few hours of electricity a day in recent years.
Transitional justice – for whom?
While there is a broad Syrian consensus that welcomes the government’s foreign policy and its success in lifting sanctions, the same cannot be said for some domestic decisions, particularly those related to the judiciary and transitional justice.
On 17 May, President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued Decree No. (20) establishing the National Commission for Transitional Justice, an independent body tasked with uncovering the truth about the grave violations committed by the former regime. It should ensure accountability for those responsible, provide reparations to victims, and reinforce the principles of non-repetition and national reconciliation.
Opinions in Syria have been divided between strong support and sharp criticism. Some view the focus on the crimes of the Assad regime as fair and long overdue – finally holding those responsible to account for the killing of their children and loved ones over the past 14 years. Others, however, have strongly criticized the apparent discrimination among victims, pointing out victims of ISIS and other parties are excluded from the right to know the fate of their loved ones, seek accountability, and receive reparations.
This distinction (and I count myself among the critics) constitutes a clear violation of the principle of equality before the law, as enshrined in both the Constitutional Declaration and international law. There must be an open dialogue between the government, Syrian and international organizations, and victims’ associations to work toward amending the decree in a way that ensures a comprehensive approach to transitional justice.
On a positive note, some victims’ associations and human rights organizations were already invited for consultations to present their views regarding the Commission and its operational mechanisms. Another bright spot is the tireless activity of civil society across all sectors, including health, education and institutional reform. One cannot help but be amazed by the sheer number of events, seminars, and meetings taking place daily, often simultaneously. Damascus has truly become a workshop in motion.
One particularly encouraging development is the growing trend of using public facilities and spaces to promote awareness, art and culture. In May, Creative Memory of the Syrian Revolution opened the "Disappeared Detainees" exhibition at the National Museum in Damascus, honoring the memory of detainees and those forcibly disappeared through dozens of artworks, paintings, photographs and banners. The symposium "Art and Culture as Public Affairs" was held in the beautiful garden of the National Museum. Many young people – both women and men – contributed to the events, reflecting an impressive level of engagement and awareness.
After 25 years the Democratic Forum reopened its doors
While a more open atmosphere is undeniably encouraging public participation in political, cultural, and human rights activities, this alone does not account for the determination of many Syrians to reclaim public space. There is a clear and growing demand to expand the role of civil society and to urge the authorities – openly and unequivocally – to allow genuine, effective participation in shaping the future of post-dictatorship Syria. This includes calls for true political inclusivity and an end to politically one-sided appointments in decision-making positions.
Perhaps this spirit explains the remarkable turnout for the reopening of the Democratic Dialogue Forum on 23 April – more than 300 attendees representing a broad and diverse cross-section of society. After the forum was forcibly shut down 25 years ago by order of Bashar al-Assad – with its founder’s father and colleagues imprisoned for five years – it’s remarkable to see it reopen, once again filled with vivid discussion. Many participants traveled long distances — from the northeastern Syrian cities of Qamishli and Hasakah, from the coastal city of Latakia, and from Daraa and Sweida in the southwest of the country. All of them expressed their support for national dialogue and their commitment to transitional justice as a fundamental process for building civil peace.
Syria is clearly going through a deep and painful transitional phase. Tensions are flaring unexpectedly – and at times alarmingly – as seen in the sectarian unrest and violent incidents that occurred last month in Jaramana (Rural Damascus) and the city of Sweida. Public outrage also swept across social media after the authorities released a group of individuals suspected of committing serious human rights violations under the Assad regime – most notably Fadi Saqr, who is suspected of being primarily responsible for the Tadamon massacre in Damascus, among other atrocities.
Deep disappointment has also taken hold among victims and human rights defenders following the press conference held by the head of the National Reconciliation Committee. Not only did he justify the release of the suspects by citing their cooperation in providing intelligence and assistance in bringing down the Assad regime in its final days, but he also informed the public that Fadi Saqr had been granted protection by the authorities and assigned to work on “national reconciliation” – a paradox that defies comprehension.
What keeps hope alive is the existing margin of freedom, the vibrancy of civil society, and the signs that Syria’s civic current is growing stronger – enabling it to resist and ultimately overcome the influence of extremists who seek to steer the country into a dark future. In Damascus, there is a palpable and unusual positive energy – an energy that shines through people’s faces and can be felt in daily interactions, despite ongoing economic hardship, unpaid salaries, and persistent concerns about the performance of the new leadership. This energy is born of hope and of a collective dream for a brighter future.
And yet, in an effort to temper my optimism, I recall the words of my friend Yassin al-Haj Saleh: “Syria remains a country resistant to both interpretation and politics. One must advise oneself, before others, to remain cautious when trying to predict the course of this terrifying country.”
With warm wishes, Joumana Seif
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