Syria’s Beneficial Ownership Regulations: A Tool for the Regime to Strip Citizens of Their Rights

The Syrian regime has introduced a new law that allows it to seize the assets of citizens, including those who have been forcibly disappeared or imprisoned. This move violates international and domestic laws, including the principle of non-retroactivity.

A Legislative Process Lacking Autonomy

The People’s Assembly of Syria, the legislative authority, lacks autonomy and is completely subservient to the executive branch. The regime has appointed its members and controls the laws passed by it, stripping the legislative process of all standards regulating legislation, especially those related to conflicts.

Violations of Local and International Law

• The new law gives the Syrian regime the power to strip and deprive victims of their property rights in an irreversible way.
• It perpetuates the policy of collective punishment adopted by the regime against the people of Syria, plunging them further into impoverishment and intensifying their lack of all forms of legal protection.

UN Security Council and UN Must Act

The report calls on the UN Security Council and the UN to expedite the process of bringing about a political resolution in Syria in line with Geneva Communiqué 1, and Security Council resolutions 2118 and 2254. The regime’s hegemony over the three branches of government must be condemned, and its practices of promulgating laws through which it can seize the assets of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, forcibly disappeared persons, and victims that have not been registered as dead must be exposed.

UN Human Rights Agency Must Act

The report calls on the UN Human Rights Agency (UNHCHR) to issue a statement condemning the Syrian regime’s manipulation of the issue of political prisoners and their assets. Recommendations should also be made to address the continued detention of tens of thousands of Syrian citizens without any real trial or real evidence.

Summary of Key Points:

• The new law allows the Syrian regime to seize the assets of citizens, including those who have been forcibly disappeared or imprisoned.
• The law violates international and domestic laws, including the principle of non-retroactivity.
• The People’s Assembly of Syria lacks autonomy and is completely subservient to the executive branch.
• The new law perpetuates the policy of collective punishment adopted by the regime against the people of Syria.
• The UN Security Council and the UN must expedite the process of bringing about a political resolution in Syria.
• The UN Human Rights Agency (UNHCHR) must issue a statement condemning the Syrian regime’s manipulation of the issue of political prisoners and their assets.