Syria: Amnesty Decree No.7 is an Inadequate Step Considering Law No. 19 and the Counter-Terrorism Court
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On 30 April 2022, the Syrian regime issued Legislative Decree No. 7 of 2022, granting a general amnesty for crimes of “terrorism” committed by Syrians before the date. The decree excluded the fatal crimes, included in the Counter-Terrorism Law No. 19 of 2012, the Penal Law issued by Legislative Decree No. 148 of 1949, and its amendments of 2011.
Article 2 of Decree No.7 states: “This amnesty will only drop the public but not the personal claims against offenders; those aggrieved still can file complaints to competent civil courts.” No legislative authority shall have the right to deprive victims from filing compensation claims.
Deputy Justice Minister, Nizar Sedkni, stated in an interview with the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the amnesty includes Syrians convicted of various crimes, including working with terrorist groups, financing or training terrorism, manufacturing means of terrorism or disturbing security; and that the amnesty does not apply to terrorists who have arrived in Syria from around the world.