Since the fall of the Assad regime, ‘honour’-based violence against women has reportedly continued to occur.824 According to confidential sources interviewed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September 2025, ‘honour’-based violence ‘was a major taboo’ in Syria, and no definite figures were available on its scale or geographical distribution.825 In 2025, several incidents of ‘honour’ killings were reported across various regions including Aleppo and Sweida governorates,826 with some gaining visibility or being broadcasted on social media.827 ‘Honour’-related crimes remain underreported, with victims often refraining from reporting incidents due to fear of retaliation and social stigma.828
In practice, ‘honour’-based violence is often not prosecuted.829 In June 2025, the Syrian Higher Fatwa Council issued a formal religious ruling (fatwa) prohibiting extrajudicial retaliation and revenge killings, including ‘honour’-based violence.830 However, by then, the transitional government had not enacted legislative measures or issued official statements condemning ‘honour’ related crimes.831
- 824
Netherlands (The), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Country of Origin Information Report on Syria, January 2026, url, p. 114; STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url; Worldcrunch, Regimes May Change In Syria — The Scourge Of Honor Killings Persists, 17 April 2025, url
- 825
Netherlands (The), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Country of Origin Information Report on Syria, January 2026, url, p. 115
- 826
STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url
- 827
STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url; Worldcrunch, Regimes May Change In Syria — The Scourge Of Honor Killings Persists, 17 April 2025, url
- 828
UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, 12 March 2026, url, Annex I para. 79; UNFPA and GBV AoR, Voices From Syria 2025, 14 October 2025, url, p. 31; STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url
- 829
STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url; Worldcrunch, Regimes May Change In Syria — The Scourge Of Honor Killings Persists, 17 April 2025, url
- 830
Syrian Observer (The), Syria’s highest fatwa council bans vigilante justice: A step toward rule of law, 9 June 2025, url; New Arab (The), Syria religious authorities issue fatwa against extrajudicial killings, revenge attacks, 7 June 2025, url; Enab Baladi, Syrian Fatwa Council prohibits revenge killings outside judicial framework, 6 June 2025, url
- 831
STJ, Syria’s Transitional Phase: “Honor” Killings Persist Amid Failing Protection and Legal Response, 19 June 2025, url