As Syria enters a new phase after the fall of the regime, many returnees to the country face legal and administrative challenges due to previous security prosecutions.
One such case concerns a Syrian citizen who returned to his country after years of absence, only to find himself banned from traveling and unable to renew his passport due to old security decisions, despite judicial authorities confirming that these decisions are no longer in effect.
Forced exile to unjustified restrictions
Citizen (H.M.), who left Syria in 2011, returned on January 28, 2025 after the fall of the regime, believing that he would be able to regain his normal life. However, his attempt to renew his passport revealed arrest warrants issued against him by several security agencies, including: Branch 227, the Military Court, and the Police Command in Daraa and Izraa.
Although these agencies are no longer active after the fall of the regime, their decisions are still being implemented, raising questions about the reasons for their continued implementation. When he visited state institutions, the Daraa Police Chief and his assistant, in addition to the Attorney General and the Head of the Public Prosecution, confirmed to him that these files date back to the former regime and no longer have any legal basis.
Despite these assurances, the Assistant Head of the Immigration and Passports Branch in Daraa refused to grant him a passport, considering him a “security wanted person” and therefore banned from traveling.
The legacy of the former regime hinders returnees
These measures raise questions about the extent of government institutions’ commitment to erasing the legacy of the former regime, and the ability of the new authorities to overcome the policies of administrative and security repression that were prevalent.
This citizen, and other returnees, face a double challenge: getting rid of the legacy of the old regime, and ensuring the implementation of new laws that are supposed to protect civil rights. As these cases continue, pressure is mounting on the new authorities to prove their seriousness in reforming institutions and ending practices that hinder Syrians’ return to their normal lives.
A word from a citizen stuck in his homeland with the repercussions of the past:
I was wanted by several security agencies in Syria because of my participation in the #Syrian_Revolution before the fall of the regime, including:
Branch 227 (arrest).
Military Police Branch in Daraa.
Military Court - Field Court.
General Command of the Army and Armed Forces.
Daraa Police Command.
Izraa Police Command.
All of these requests were security requests, and all included arrest warrants.
My exit from Syria and return:
I left Syria in 2011.
I returned to Syria on 1/28/2025 after the fall of the regime.
The procedures I took:
When I tried to renew my passport, the Assistant Head of the Immigration and Passports Branch in Daraa informed me that I could not obtain a passport because I was wanted by security, and that I was banned from traveling.
As a result, I went to:
The Commander of Daraa Police and his assistant, who confirmed that all security requests against me date back to the former regime and no longer have any legal effect.
The Attorney General, who stated that these requests are linked to the former regime and are no longer valid.
The Chief Public Prosecutor in Daraa, who confirmed that I am not wanted for any civil felony.
Based on the above, I am not wanted by any current judicial authority, and all previous requests are linked to the former regime and are no longer legal. However, my right to obtain a passport and renew my official documents is still illegally suspended.
Request:
I demand that the competent authorities review my legal status, correct these unfair procedures against me, and allow me to obtain a passport and exercise my right to movement in accordance with the laws in force after the fall of the regime.
Zaman Al Wasl previously launched a search engine for those banned from traveling (leaving the country) that includes more than 800,000 names
By Hussein Al-Shishakli
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