People in Damascus have been holding pictures of their relatives killed in the Tadamon massacres, following the arrest of former intelligence officer Amjad Youssef last month. The arrest, celebrated by many, has sparked a debate over the nature of justice in post-Assad Syria.
A Milestone Turned Sour
Ahmad al-Homsi, a 33-year-old activist with the Tadamon Coordination Committee, described the initial euphoria upon hearing of Youssef's arrest. "We stayed out for almost three or four days celebrating. People from neighbouring areas sent camels, sheep, livestock for us to slaughter and distribute them to people. The tears of joy didn't stop," he said. However, his joy turned to anger when a confession video was released, in which Youssef claimed he acted alone. "Of course it upset us. Of course I didn't like what he said. This was a cover-up for others [involved]," al-Homsi added. "There are many more criminals. We want to know everyone who held a position or was responsible at the time of the massacres."
Performative Justice?
Ali Aljasem, a researcher at Utrecht University's Centre for Conflict Studies, argues that the new government is engaging in "selective and performative justice." He said, "The idea is, you arrest a couple of people, put them on TV and use them as scapegoats." Aljasem also highlighted the trial of Assad's cousin Atef Najib, which has been hailed as a step toward justice but may distract from broader accountability. Nousha Kabawat, head of the Syria programme at the International Centre for Transitional Justice, warned that "transitional justice is not just a punitive process; it is about rebuilding a society and rebuilding trust."
Deals with Former Regime Figures
The government has made reconciliation deals with Assad-era war profiteers, exchanging assets and information for immunity. Key middleman Fadi Saqr, a former NDF militia commander accused of involvement in the Tadamon massacres, has helped mediate between old and new guards. Aljasem noted, "Even those now protecting Fadi will tell you he's a criminal, but he's useful to them." This approach has angered victims, who feel sidelined. Al-Homsi expressed cautious trust but insisted on demanding rights for all families.
Legal and Structural Challenges
Syria's legal framework currently lacks definitions for war crimes or crimes against humanity, and a transitional justice law may take months to pass. The Commission for Transitional Justice is preparing a case against Saqr for war crimes, but broader accountability remains elusive. "Just an arrest is not justice," said deputy chair Zahra al-Barazi.
Grassroots Efforts and Lingering Trauma
Despite government efforts in inter-communal dialogue, progress is uneven. For residents of Tadamon, the memory of atrocities hinders rebuilding. "People are returning and want to live in their homes. They want to rebuild," al-Homsi said. "But we are standing there saying: 'This entire place is a mass grave. It's full of martyrs; you can't build yet. You can't erase the scene of the crime.'"
