Damascus, Sept. 21 (SANA) Syria’s Justice Ministry said Sunday that parliament’s approval to abolish the terrorism court and invalidate the effects of its rulings marks a major step toward removing the legacy of exceptional courts and addressing the legal and rights-related consequences of their procedures.
The ministry said in a statement that the move is aimed at supporting the rule of law, protecting rights and addressing the effects of exceptional judicial measures.
It added that the Supreme Judicial Council formed specialized judicial committees on April 17, 2025, to review relevant cases and process them according to legal procedures, based on the constitutional declaration and efforts to facilitate citizens’ affairs and restore rights.
The ministry said the committees have so far lifted most exceptional measures, including travel bans and asset freezes, in 38,566 cases out of 49,726 cases. It added that restrictions were also removed from 56,726 people through investigation departments.
The ministry said public prosecution offices continue to receive urgent requests, with 5,255 applications processed so far, bringing the total number of people whose restrictions have been lifted to nearly 130,000.
It added that processed names have been referred to the relevant asset-seizure system to remove remaining restrictions according to legal procedures, while coordination continues with the ministries of Interior and Finance to complete implementation steps.
The ministry said the legal process extends beyond the abolition of the terrorism court’s rulings to include exceptional judgments issued by military and field courts, martial-law decisions, in absentia rulings and other extraordinary procedures.
It added that procedures are being launched to hold accountable those involved in such trials and to receive complaints from affected individuals and address them through legal channels.
The ministry said it would continue completing the necessary legal steps until the law abolishing the court and invalidating its procedures enters into force, describing the measure as part of efforts to restore justice, strengthen the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights.
Syria’s parliament unanimously approved on Sept. 16 a draft law abolishing the terrorism court and nullifying the effects of its rulings during the third session of its first extraordinary legislative session.
R.D/RK