2.2. Individuals opposing or perceived to be opposing the interim government

For information on the treatment of individuals perceived to have supported the former government see section 2.1.

There is very limited information on the treatment of individuals opposing or perceived to be opposing the new government. SJAC indicated that it has not observed any targeting by the interim government based on journalistic activities, activism, or membership in political parties.228

During the reference period there have been some reports of arrests carried out by the interim government’s forces on individuals connected to criminal cases, individuals suspected for being involved in attacks carried out by non-state armed groups linked to the former Assad regime against security forces,229 individuals who had criticised the government on social media, relatives of fugitives who were detained to pressure the latter into surrendering, and persons accused of working with the SDF.230 The reporting lacks additional details regarding the charges brought to those arrested and their treatment by the authorities.

Following the overthrow of the Assad government, at least one detained journalist was released according to Freedom House. Previously exiled Syrian journalists and foreign reporters have increasingly resumed reporting from within Syria since December 2024, including in areas formerly controlled by the Assad government and have been focusing on uncovering crimes committed during that period, such as those committed at the Sednaya prison.231 Sources reported that several journalists were attacked and injured by unidentified armed groups and individuals while covering the violence in the coastal areas between the interim government’s forces and pro-Assad remnants in March.232 Other journalists were attacked and threatened by local armed factions in Sweida while covering the signing of an agreement with the government in May. The authorities reportedly intervened to ensure their safety and condemned the attacks.233