The Ministry of Justice announced the formation of legal and technical committees to re-examine a number of laws, including the Cybercrime Law.

The ministry said on its official Facebook page that the mentioned committees are studying the cybercrime law within the framework of legislative reform efforts, with the participation of the authorities concerned with its implementation, including the ministries of information, interior, communications and information technology.

According to the ministry's statement, the amendments aim to reach a balanced legal wording that ensures the protection of rights and freedoms , strengthens the rule of law, and provides the necessary tools to combat cybercrime in all its forms.

Justice: Ensuring that the Constitutional Declaration is not violated

The Ministry of Justice stressed that the directives and actions taken on the committees, together with the role played by the judiciary, are a guarantee that legal texts are not exploited or applied in a manner that contradicts the provisions of the Constitutional Declaration, and that the rights of all parties are protected on the basis of equality before the law and that fair trial guarantees are respected.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to the path of legal reform, strengthening the rule of law and institutions, calling on all citizens to cooperate with the competent judicial authorities and respect legal procedures, in a way that contributes to consolidating justice , enhancing stability, and protecting public rights and freedoms.

She pointed out that the Constitutional Declaration stipulates the cancellation of exceptional laws, with the legislation in force continuing to be in force until they are amended or repealed in accordance with the approved constitutional and legal procedures.

Based on this principle, it has worked during the past period to review a number of legislations and legal texts that raise constitutional or human rights problems, and to take measures to prevent any application or interpretation that contradicts the provisions of the Constitutional Declaration or affects the public rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens, according to the ministry's statement.

It stressed that it has set judicial controls and standards under the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Council to ensure the proper implementation of some of the legal texts under review, in order to maintain the continuity of the work of justice institutions and prevent a legal vacuum that may affect the rights of individuals or the conduct of judicial procedures, according to the ministry.

Cancellation of Arrest for Crimes of Defamation, Defamation and Cyber Contempt

Lawyer Aref Al-Shaal said in a post on his personal Facebook page that the Ministry of Justice has begun preparing a draft to amend the Cybercrime Law, taking into account "not to arrest the defendant in crimes of defamation, defamation and cyber contempt", and to refer these cases directly to the competent court for trial at large.

Al-Shaal pointed out that this draft needs to be presented to the People's Assembly and discussed after it is formed for approval in order to become effective.

This development in the position of the Syrian Ministry of Justice comes after the arrest of activist and director Hassan Akkad, based on an official complaint submitted by Syrian journalist Moussa al-Omar, who announced today that he had waived his right to a personal lawsuit against Akkad, who was released later today.

Syrian director arrested for cybercrime released

The Syrian authorities released activist and director Hassan Akkad on Sunday, June 21, after journalist Moussa al-Omar announced the dropping of the lawsuit he filed against him.

Syrian journalist Moussa al-Omar said that he had dropped his right to file a lawsuit against Akkad, the owner of the "Hatwa al-Faloos al-Alikum" campaign, before the Damascus courthouse.

On his Facebook page, Al-Omar explained that his legal representative dropped the right and the lawsuit against Hassan Al-Akkad on Sunday morning, saying: "I forgave him for the sake of God Almighty, I was offended by what he brought himself to."

The Syrian journalist then commented: "I wish him success in his activity on social media and I will always be his supporter."

Article 156 of the Syrian Penal Code stipulates: "The forgiveness of the victim in cases where the law suspends the filing of a public lawsuit on the filing of a complaint or personal lawsuit, shall void the public right lawsuit and suspend the execution of the penalties, unless the law stipulates otherwise."