**Syria Parliament Abolishes Controversial Counter-Terrorism Court**
Syria's parliament has taken a significant legislative step by voting to abolish the Counter-Terrorism Court, a judicial body established during the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad. The decision, reported by state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV, marks one of the first major actions by the newly formed assembly since the overthrow of Assad in December 2024.
The Counter-Terrorism Court was created in 2012 as a response to the uprising against Assad's rule, with the aim of suppressing dissent and prosecuting individuals accused of terrorism-related offenses. Over the years, the court has been criticized for its lack of judicial guarantees, leading to concerns over arbitrary detention and the potential for torture or ill-treatment of detainees.
In a decree issued in June 2025, President Ahmed al-Sharaa had already taken steps to dismantle the court by dismissing 67 judges associated with it, referring to the court as "abolished." This recent parliamentary vote formalizes that decision and nullifies the legal effects of the court's previous rulings. The move aligns with Syria's March 2025 constitutional declaration, which called for the annulment of what it termed unjust rulings, including the return of confiscated properties.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee had previously expressed concerns regarding the court's operations, stating that the 2012 law under which it was established failed to ensure essential judicial protections. The U.N. also highlighted that the court allowed deviations from standard legal procedures during trials, which raised further alarms about the fairness of its proceedings.
Reports from the U.N.'s International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism in 2024 documented the court's role within a broader judicial system that facilitated the prosecution of detainees held by Assad-era security forces. These reports described widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment within the government's detention facilities, underscoring the urgent need for reform within Syria's judicial framework.
The parliamentary vote to abolish the Counter-Terrorism Court comes during a pivotal time for Syria, as the new assembly convenes for the first time since the regime change. The parliament, which held its inaugural session in July, has been focused on establishing internal rules and committees before addressing pressing national issues. This week, the assembly also held discussions with the Education Minister regarding the state of the country's schools and is scheduled to question the Energy Minister about a recent surge in fuel prices.
The dissolution of the Counter-Terrorism Court is seen as a step towards reforming Syria's judicial system and addressing the legacy of the Assad regime. However, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the broader political landscape and the ongoing challenges facing the nation in the aftermath of years of conflict.