The Tyrant Has Fallen
Let Us Open the Door to Freedom, Peace, and Unity
After fifty-four years of the Assad family’s tyranny, the Syrian people have brought down the regime of oppression, corruption, and brutality. This historic achievement is a remarkable example of a people’s struggle for liberation, paving the way for a brighter future. Our journey to freedom was marked by the blood of martyrs, the suffering of detainees and their families, the sacrifices of the displaced, and the relentless efforts of freedom fighters, peaceful activists, humanitarian workers, and intellectuals from all over Syria, representing diverse political and social perspectives. It was a revolution of a great people, one that we can proudly celebrate as a national and liberating accomplishment.
Today, our country faces the intertwined tasks of addressing current challenges, rectifying the past’s injustices, and building a future of unity. Syrians’ current mission is to restore national unity and establish a democratic political system that guarantees the participation of all Syrians in shaping their country’s future. This system must be built on equality in citizenship, rights, and duties, with the rule of law, separation of powers, and impartiality of institutions as fundamental principles. Public and private freedoms, as well as human rights as defined by international conventions, must be respected.
The Syrian people now need assurance of their security and stability in their villages and cities. It is essential to safeguard private and public properties, maintain state institutions, and restore public order. Urgent priorities include uncovering the fate of the disappeared in all detention centers, responsibly engaging with the families of the missing, and creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of the displaced to their homes and properties. Additionally, laying the groundwork for a national transitional justice program is vital. Syrians also require a comprehensive roadmap for national dialogue and reconciliation, as well as a clear political transition plan that aligns with international resolutions on Syria, starting with the Geneva Communiqué and culminating in UN Resolution 2254. This transition demands strong Arab and international support.
As The Day After (TDA) team, we view positively the steps taken by the current authorities to ensure security, restore stability, promote public order, and meet the population’s basic needs. We encourage further progress in these areas and welcome corrections to mistakes made during this transitional period. We urge these authorities to engage with all segments of Syrian society—social, civil, and political—in addressing the current challenges and shaping the future. No single entity can tackle these responsibilities alone. National partnership, openness, transparency, and inclusivity are indispensable.
Transitioning from an authoritarian regime that killed and displaced millions, destroyed vast parts of the country, impoverished the nation, and deeply fractured its social fabric is an extraordinarily complex process. It requires the efforts of all citizens, built on equality and partnership, to overcome the legacy of Assad’s tyranny. We express our concerns about the consequences of failing to achieve this unity, as well as our determination to protect it.
Since its inception, The Day After has supported Syria’s democratic transition, offering numerous strategies for addressing transitional challenges. These include security sector reform, governance, transitional justice, and judicial and constitutional reform. As always, we stand ready to contribute our expertise and resources to the collective national effort to achieve the future Syrians deserve.
The Syrian people are remarkable—a resilient nation that has endured struggles and freed itself from one of the most oppressive regimes of all time. The road ahead is steep and challenging, but we will rise from the rubble, rebuild our country with dignity and strength, and succeed through the combined efforts of all Syrians and the grace of God.
Mercy to our martyrs, congratulations to our liberated detainees, patience for the families of the missing people, and a dignified return for the displaced.
Long live Syrian people, free and with dignity on their soil.
