COMMON ANALYSIS | Last update: December 2025
This profile refers to civilians perceived by the Transitional Government as opposing it. It encompasses a range of activities, such as expressing dissent from the policies, actions, or authority of the Transitional Government, as well as political party membership, and activism such as taking part in protests.
Refer to 4.1. Persons associated with the former Government of Syria, for the situation of those individuals perceived to be affiliated to the former regime.
Refer to 4.7. Journalists and other media professionals for the situation of individuals active in journalistic and media activities.
This profile does not include members of armed groups, who are addressed separately. See 4.6. Persons with perceived links to ISIL, 4.1.1. (Former) members of Assad’s armed forces and pro-Assad armed groups, and members of the SDF/YPG under 4.9.2. Kurds.
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI reports and query: COI Update, 5; Country Focus July 2025, 1.1., 1.2., 2.2.; Country Focus March 2025, 1.2.2.; Security 2024, 1.4.4.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
On 29 January 2025, the Transitional Government formally announced the dissolution of all opposition parties. The Constitutional Declaration establishes a strong presidential system, granting the president sweeping powers with minimal oversight. It also guarantees freedom of expression, media freedom and judicial independence, but does not include specific safeguards to ensure these protections.
Step 1: Do the reported acts amount to persecution?
There is limited information regarding the treatment of individuals who oppose or are perceived to oppose the Transitional Government.
No documented cases exist of targeting by the Transitional Government based on membership of political parties or activism.
Step 2: What is the level of risk of persecution?
The information on the treatment of dissent by the Transitional Government is, at the time of writing, limited. Therefore, an individual assessment should be based on the most recent information available.
Step 3: Is there a ground for persecution?
Where a well-founded fear of persecution is substantiated for an applicant under this profile, this is highly likely to be for reasons of (imputed) political opinion, as opposing the Transitional Government is perceived as a political opinion.
For practical guidance on how to assess claims related to political opinion, including sur place claims and claims based on social media activities, please refer to ‘EUAA jointly with Member States, Practical Guide on Political Opinion, December 2022’, and to ‘EUAA, Practical Guide on Evidence and Risk Assessment, January 2024’, Publications on social media, pp.118-120.