AANES Enacts Amnesty Law; Government Sued for Kamalmaz Killing in Syria

Empowering Justice and Seeking Accountability in North-East Syria

In a groundbreaking move, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (ANES) has introduced Amnesty Law No. (10) of 2024, providing a glimmer of hope for individuals unfairly convicted under the region’s counter-terrorism laws. Amnesty International lauds this law for potentially reducing sentences or granting freedom to those subjected to unjust trials and torture. However, concerns linger for thousands of detainees held without trial, urging for broader inclusivity in the amnesty law. A $70 million lawsuit filed by the family of Syrian-American Majd Kamalmaz against the Syrian government sheds light on allegations of unlawful detention, torture, and killing, seeking accountability for human rights violations. Ambassador Robert Wood’s address at the UN Security Council emphasizes the stagnation of political advancements in Syria due to regime interference, condemning recent elections and advocating for humanitarian access and international support for displaced Syrians, coupled with ongoing U.S. sanctions holding the Assad regime accountable.