Syria religious authorities issue fatwa against extrajudicial killings, revenge attacks

Syria's Supreme Fatwa Council on Friday issued a ruling against extrajudicial killings and revenge attack, underscoring the sanctity of the blood, property and honour of the country's citizens.

The ruling comes amid a fragile peace within Syria, which has been threatened by sectarian violence and armed groups loyal to the deposed regime.

The fatwa emphasised that people should resort to the judiciary and relevant authorities in disputes, rather than resorting to acts of revenge.

Since May, the Syrian Network for Human Rights has recorded the extrajudicial killings of at least 157 civilians in Syria, including 20 children.

The council warned against inciting individuals to acts of revenge, stressing that this "fuels the flames of sedition and threatens societal peace".

The fatwa was welcomed by the United States' Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, who said on X: "Great first steps for a new Syrian Government on the move towards a new Syria."

In its ruling, the fatwa council also urged officials to "expedite litigation procedures, remove bad judges who served as a tool of the former regime to oppress people, and ensure justice is served to preserve societal stability".

In a related development, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Thursday reinstating Syrian judges who defected during the regime of the ousted ex-President Bashar al-Assad , in what appears to be a new push to crack down on crime.

The Syrian Ministry of Justice has labelled the move as an important step in the path of judicial reform and provides justice for those who defected from the regime due to their support for the Syrian people.

Al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 70 on Thursday, after a joint proposal was submitted to the presidency requesting the measure by the justice ministry and the Supreme Judicial Council.