Syria’s Ministry of Justice introduced some limitations to the Cybercrime Law, but rights groups are urging for a full suspension [GETTY]
Amnesty International has urged Syrian authorities to suspend a cybercrime law introduced during former dictator Bashar al-Assad’s rule, arguing it restricts the right to freedom of expression.
In a report released on Friday, the human rights organisation condemned the continued use by the government of Law No. 20 of 2022 – a statue that was crafted with the intention to police the digital sphere through ambiguous charges including “undermining the prestige of the state” or “harming its financial standing”.
Heba Morayef, Amnesty’s MENA Regional Director, said it was “alarming that the transitional authorities have continued to use the repressive Assad-era cybercrime law against individuals who voice criticism of Syria’s authorities.”
Activists and human rights organisations have long advocated for the law’s suspension on the grounds that it falls short of international human rights standards by criminalising forms of expression protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Amnesty argues that the 2022 law imposes harsh offenses that are not recognised crimes under international law, including “committing insult or contempt”; establishes broad enforcement powers; and allows for broad-ranging censorship.
Syria’s Ministry of Justice announced in June the formation of legal and technical committees intended to review a number of laws, including the Cybercrime Law.
Following an evaluation, the ministry issued a decision to introduce some limitations around its use, requiring cybercrime investigations to obtain judicial authorisation before specialised investigations are initiated, thereby prohibiting pretrial detention except in exceptional circumstances.
Although the review to limit the referral of online expression-related offences to specialised judicial police was welcomed by rights groups, Amnesty argues that “it fails to ensure that the investigation and prosecution of offences relating to online expression, including defamation, insult, and libel, remain fully consistent with the protections afforded to the right to freedom of expression.”
Activists and journalists detained under cybercrime law
Amnesty International has documented at multiple cases of journalists and activists who were detained this year under the Assad-era Cybercrime Law, including several who faced disciplinary measures even after the Ministry of Justice’s review.
Mazen Arja, an activist from Idlib, was arrested on 21 July following a summons by the Cybercrime Branch in Damascus reportedly over his public announcement of his intention to run as presidential candidate. The human rights organisation argues his arrest is inconsistent with the circular as he does not fulfil the criteria to justify the exceptional circumstances to warrant detention.
Arja had previously been detained in July 2025 for 63 days on charges of “undermining the prestige of the judiciary” following a post on Facebook where he spoke about his treatment by the Syrian justice system.
“The authorities must present evidence to show that detention is necessary and proportionate because of a substantial risk of either flight, serious harm to others, the recurrence of crime, or interference with the evidence or investigation,” Amnesty said in Friday’s report, calling for those held in pretrial detention to be released in the absence of any such evidence.
Two journalists and three activists were also arrested this year after being accused of “undermining the reputation and prestige of the state” and “spreading false news” charges under the cybercrime law.
Although all five were subsequently released after detention and investigations ranging from one to seven days, prosecutors formally charged three of the individuals, with one of the journalists facing the risk of prosecution.
Amnesty said it had reviewed the online content on which the charges were based and concluded that for all five cases it “found no indication that it incited violence or hatred or any of the circumstances which could be one limitation on speech that could warrant arrest or criminal prosecution.”
The international rights group also highlighted the case of artist and director Hassan Akkad, who was arrested without a warrant from a coffee shop in the al-Malki neighbourhood of Damascus on 17 June this year by eight men in plain clothes, some of whom were armed.
Akkad’s arrest was the result of a complaint filed by a private individual accusing him of defamation and insult, both crimes under Syrian law, after the activist launched the “Hato El Flous” – or “Pay Up” campaign – in April 2026 to hold business figures and officials accountable for unfulfilled financial pledges previously made in support of reconstruction projects and relief efforts.
Following public pressure, Akkad was released five days later.
“Transitioning from a deeply repressive legislative framework is never easy,” Morayef said, arguing, however, that “as an immediate step and pending the reform process, the Ministry of Justice and the Public Prosecutor can issue instructions to halt all arrests and pretrial detention in speech-related offences, which in any case would not fulfil the criteria under international law where pretrial detention is warranted.”
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