In Syria, women and children remain among the most vulnerable groups, and domestic violence is a persistent problem. In the provinces, there is no clear mechanism for combating it, while victims often remain silent out of shame and fear of social condemnation. Violence is frequently justified as necessary to “preserve the family,” and even women sometimes endorse such explanations. As a result, battered women and children find neither protection nor a safe place to turn.
The case of three-year-old Janat al-Afis, whom her father killed after severely beating her on September 27, was particularly tragic. It emerged that this was not the first time she had been beaten, and that her mother, who had died several months earlier, had also been subjected to violence. The case reflects a broader reality: the deaths of women and children often remain unexplained, while less severe assaults do not become known at all. Victims hesitate to file complaints or seek protection because they fear the consequences, while neighbors and relatives prefer not to intervene, calling what is happening a “family matter.”
Syrian society is deeply attached to the image of the “patient woman,” a label that generations have even taken pride in. As a result, many people consider it acceptable for a strong man to use violence against his wife and children, excusing it as a result of his temper and male authority. The problem is not male leadership itself, but the use of power to inflict harm rather than protect the family—especially when violence is compounded by psychological or financial difficulties or drug addiction. Society not only excuses the aggressor but also shifts the blame onto the victim, trapping women in a vicious cycle of injustice and forced “endurance” out of fear of disgrace.
The article’s author compares a family headed by a despotic man to a miniature authoritarian state. In the author’s view, the methods used to control society under the Assad regime helped entrench brute force within the family as well. The consequences can be seen today in a father who “disciplines” his family through beatings, or in a teacher who slaps a first-grader. Such practices harm people not only physically but psychologically, while also shaping a generation that can easily be manipulated by anyone holding a stick or a weapon. The need for legal and cultural change is therefore becoming increasingly urgent.
Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said that a comprehensive law to combat domestic violence is being prepared and is awaiting consideration by the People’s Council. According to him, the legislation would strengthen protection for victims and increase penalties for offenders. In addition, a national strategy for child protection and a program to reform juvenile justice have been developed jointly with other agencies and international organizations. These measures are intended to strengthen legal and judicial protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration, while placing the best interests of the child at the center of policy and judicial procedures. If the authorities seriously enforce strict penalties, results will come sooner than if they rely solely on citizens’ sense of responsibility.
A new law could be an important step toward protecting children and reshaping social habits in Syria. The author stresses that such measures do not constitute an attack on tradition; rather, they seek to correct customs that must change in line with modern life. The development of science and openness to other cultures have strengthened the influence of a modern worldview, but this does not mean rejecting familiar social roles. However, strict limits on the abuse of those roles are necessary for a healthy and cohesive society. An editorial note also states that, before the original material was published, it was necessary to clarify the year in which the girl’s death occurred, document the details, and verify the justice minister’s quotation; the views expressed do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial position.
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What provisions of Syrian family and criminal law currently regulate beatings and domestic violence, and why are they rarely enforced in practice? — Syria has no single comprehensive law on domestic violence. Beatings and bodily injuries fall under the general provisions of the Penal Code—particularly articles concerning assault and bodily harm, approximately Articles 557–559—but “domestic violence” is not a separate offense. Family relations are regulated by Personal Status Law No. 59 of 1953 for Muslims and by separate codes for religious communities. These laws address marriage, divorce, maintenance, and custody, but do not criminalize violence. In practice, cases rarely reach court: police and prosecutors often treat violence as a “family matter,” pressure the parties to reconcile, there is a lack of shelters and protection programs, proving injuries can be difficult, and women may be economically dependent and afraid of retaliation, stigma, and pressure from relatives. Religious courts and traditional notions of “honor” also play a role.
How is Syria’s People’s Council formed and how does it operate, and what procedures are required to adopt a comprehensive law on domestic violence? — Under the 2012 Constitution, the People’s Council is a unicameral parliament of 250 members elected for four-year terms by universal secret ballot. It adopts laws and the budget, ratifies treaties, and oversees ministers. After December 2024, the former Council effectively lost its legislative role; a transitional government is in place, while a new parliament or constituent assembly has not yet been formed. Under the regular procedure, a comprehensive law on domestic violence would require drafting by the Ministry of Justice or lawmakers, approval by the Council of Ministers, public consultations, consideration by the relevant parliamentary committee, a majority vote, signature and promulgation by the head of state, and publication. During the transitional period, some provisions may be introduced by decree by transitional authorities before a new parliament is elected.
Who is Mazhar al-Wais, and what powers does Syria’s Ministry of Justice have when drafting legislation and working with international organizations? — Mazhar al-Wais is a Syrian lawyer who has served as justice minister in Syria’s transitional government since December 2024. He previously served as justice minister in the Salvation Government in Idlib. The Ministry of Justice drafts and legally reviews legislation, coordinates the work of the judicial system and notaries, represents the state in legal matters, and cooperates with the United Nations, international organizations, and NGOs on legal reform, the rule of law, and human rights. However, the ministry cannot enact a law on its own: it proposes and prepares draft legislation, while approval rests with parliament or transitional legislative bodies.
Full version: Domestic Violence in Syria: Can the Law Break the Wall of Silence?