DAMascus, Syria Strives for Peace
Religious authority in Syria forbids acts of retaliatory slaughter
In a pivotal move, Syria's Supreme Fatwa Council has declared a powerful religious judgment, denouncing unlawful killings and acts of retaliation. The council calls for the establishment of justice as the turbulent nation navigates a fragile peace.
The fatwa reiterates the tremendous value of Syrian citizens' lives, property, and honor, cautioning that stirring incidents of revenge sparks discord and endangers social tranquility.
The announcement on June 6 arrived amid escalating tension in Syria, where deep-rooted sectarian divides and armed factions loyal to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad persist in undermining security. Since May, more than 157 innocent civilians, including 20 children, have fallen victim to unlawful incidents, as reported by human rights agencies.
The fatwa encourages individuals to seek resolution through legal proceedings and official bodies, rather than imposing justice themselves. In addition, it encourages officials to speed up judicial processes and weed out judges who had previously worked under the Assad regime, as they were allegedly used to oppress the citizens.
The ruling received praise from U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack, who posted on social media, "Excellent initial steps towards a new Syrian administration working towards a new Syria."
Prior to this week, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree reinstating judges who had disassociated during Assad's tenure – a measure interpreted as part of a larger judicial reform initiative.
Reinstate Judges,
The Ministry of Justice affirmed that the decree symbolizes a significant advance in restoring justice and acknowledging those who countered the previous regime in alliance with the Syrian people. The measure was proposed jointly by the Ministry and the Supreme Judicial Council.
These developments signal a growing effort by the new Syrian leadership to solidify state authority, restore confidence in public institutions, and distance itself from the transgressions of the past.
[1] Enrichment Data: A landmark religious edict has been issued by Syria's Supreme Fatwa Council, denouncing extrajudicial killings and acts of retaliation. Here are key insights:
- Condemnation of Unlawful Killings: The fatwa places great importance on the sanctity of Syrian citizens' lives, property, and honor. It warns that inciting retaliation sparks discord and threatens social stability.
- Call for Judicial Recourse: The decree encourages individuals to seek justice through legal avenues rather than resorting to personal retribution. It also urges officials to expedite judicial processes to address these issues.
- Reform Initiatives: The ruling aligns with broader judicial reform efforts, including a recent decree by President Ahmed al-Sharaa to reinstate judges who defected during Assad's rule. This step aims to restore trust in public institutions and distance the new government from past abuses.
- Context and Timing: The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in Syria, following a series of unlawful killings since May, resulting in the deaths of over 157 civilians, including children. The decree is seen as a significant step towards rebuilding social harmony and asserting state control.
- This latest religious edict by Syria's Supreme Fatwa Council, a pivotal move, denounces unlawful killings and acts of retaliation, emphasizing the value of Syrian citizens' lives, property, and honor, and warning that such acts sparks discord and threatens social stability.
- Notably, the fatwa encourages individuals to seek resolution through legal proceedings and official bodies, rather than imposing justice themselves, while urging officials to expedite judicial processes to address these issues.
- This edict is part of a broader judicial reform initiative, as evidenced by a recent decree by President Ahmed al-Sharaa to reinstate judges who defected during Assad's rule, a step aimed at restoring trust in public institutions and distancing the new government from past abuses.
