Syria: Progressive Islamization
In March 2025, the situation in Syria worsened dramatically: following massacres of over 2,000 Alawites, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) reports on the progressive Islamization of the country. The new rulers of the HTS, originally linked to terrorist groups such as IS and Al Qaeda, are driving forward a radical transformation of society – from the destruction of Christian graves to compulsory regulations for women and schoolchildren, which represent a massive restriction of religious freedom and human rights.
Syria: “No concessions to rulers without improving the human rights situation”
ISHR warns of increasing violence, vigilante justice and progressive Islamization of the country
Damascus / Frankfurt am Main, 28 March 2025 – Chaos instead of stability: Following the genocidal massacres of more than 2,000 Alawites at the beginning of the month, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) points out the ongoing Islamization of Syria and the continued violence and instability in the country in the run-up to its annual conference. The German government shouldn’t react guilelessly to promises made by jihadists. Where Alawites, Kurds, Christians, Druze, and students have been systematically murdered, further massacres are imminent, according to the IGFM.
“The new Syrian rulers are pushing ahead with the Islamization of the country. Crosses are being destroyed on Christian graves, mosques are being built on university campuses, eating and smoking during the fasting hours of Ramadan is forbidden for everyone, women are being told to cover themselves, boys and girls are being taught separately in schools and have to sit separately on public transport,” explains Valerio Krüger, spokesman for the IGFM’s Executive Board.
Vigilante justice instead of transitional justice
The Frankfurt-based human rights organization explains that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are still officially guaranteed in Syria. However, the IGFM also emphasizes that the new rulers of the HTS are a terrorist group that was initially linked to the terrorist militia IS and then to Al Qaeda under the name Al Nusra. The Salafist jihadists were striving for an Islamist state with Sharia as the source of its laws. Instead of the often-proclaimed transitional justice system, which was supposed to punish crimes against humanity, arbitrariness, vigilante justice, and a justice system of revenge currently prevail.
Rise in food prices and power cuts
Dr. Nabil Antaki, co-founder and director of the Blue Marist Relief Organization, will speak at the IGFM annual conference on Saturday and report on the situation in the country. “Salaries and pensions have not been paid in Syria for three months because the state has no money. At the same time, prices for bread and other essential products have risen sharply. Electricity is only available for two hours a day. As the police force has been disbanded, crime and theft have increased. „Arbitrary arrests and summary executions are taking place almost daily.”
The IGFM calls on the new German government not to lose sight of the situation in Syria, to avoid premature financial concessions, and to measure the new Syrian rulers in terms of respect for human rights.
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