Source: Amnesty International –
The Syrian authorities must suspend implementation of and substantially amend Law No. 20 of 2022 on Combating Cybercrime, passed by the former Bashar al-Assad government, to bring it in line with Syria’s obligations under international human rights law, Amnesty International said today. Syria’s Ministry of Justice in June 2026 announced a review of the cybercrime law and introduced some limitations around its use, yet it continues to be used to restrict the right to freedom of expression.
Amnesty International documented five cases of journalists and activists who were detained for their online expression between January and June 2026 for periods of up to seven days under the 2022 Cybercrime Law. All five were arrested under provisions of the law that criminalize peaceful online expression through broadly and vaguely defined offences, including “undermining the prestige of the state,” “undermining the state’s financial standing,” and “electronic defamation.” Two of those individuals are facing criminal prosecution which could result in heavy prison sentences.
“Since the fall of the Assad government, Syrian civil society carved out space for freedom of expression and association despite the existing repressive legislative framework. It is alarming that the transitional authorities have continued to use the repressive Assad-era cybercrime law against individuals who voice criticism of Syria’s authorities. While the 2025 Constitutional Declaration guarantees the right to freedom of expression, the continued enforcement of the cybercrime law leaves those who criticize the authorities at risk of arrest and prosecution simply for expressing their views online,” said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
“The authorities have repeatedly declared their intent to build a new Syria and have taken several positive steps to break from that repressive past, but the use of old, abusive laws to chill and restrict dialogue, debate and critique seriously undermines that path. With parliament now in place, the reform of the inherited repressive legislative framework needs to be prioritized to bring it in accordance with international human rights standards, starting with abusive provisions in the 2022 Cybercrime Law and Penal Code. No one should face arrest, prosecution or punishment solely for peacefully expressing their opinions online.”
On 21 June 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced the formation of legal and technical committees to review a number of laws, including the Cybercrime Law.
Amnesty International interviewed six people; two individuals arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression, two individuals with information about additional cases of arrest and two lawyers with information about cases. The organization also reviewed summaries of court documents, reports by local and international human rights organizations, credible media outlets and statements and circulars by the authorities.