There is no judiciary in Western Ghouta which is capable of running procedures/courts. Attempts at establishing judiciary failed because of clashes between different armed factions. The lack of a judiciary led to the arbitrary arrest of activists. These violations could not be stopped. Some problems were solved through mediation from armed faction leaders and local notables. But, in general terms, there is no independent judiciary. Partially as the situation in Western Ghouta is different from other Syrian cities. Conflicts are few and problems are solved quickly. The armed factions in Western Ghouta vary from the moderate to the ‘extremist’. According to the prominent activity Muadamiyat al-Sham, several weak and small judicial bodies exist. Relatively speaking, the judiciary of the One Flag Coalition which is subordinate to al-Nusra Front is the strongest amongst these bodies.

Fragmented and Weak Courthouses in Qalamoon

Following the declaration of liberation towards the end of 2011, the Local Council in Western Qalamoon was formed.

In the beginning of 2012, the council formed the Sharia court. However, when ISIS appeared in the area, new courts were formed by al-Nusra Front and Free Syrian Army. Islamic Sharia was implemented in these courts and other laws were rejected according to an activist in Yabrud who abstained from mentioning his name.

The situation has remained the same in Qalamoon since that time. The armed factions remained divided even after the regime recaptured villages and towns. The only remaining liberated areas are al-Zabadani and some highlands in Qalamoon.

In the Eastern Qalamoon, a local council was formed in the middle of 2012. Following that, the armed factions in the area formed a Sharia court. All of the courts were under the control of the armed factions and a specific law was not implemented. The courts implemented the Islamic Sharia according to prominent activist.

continue all topic:

Prominent Judicial Bodies Formed in Liberated Syria

The Phase of Regression: ‘Sheikhs’ Replacing Judges

Peoples’ Courts in Autonomous Administrated Regions

Free Independent Syrian Judiciary Council

Three Authority References Warn of the Division of Syria

Syrian State Law: will its continued implementation help maintain the unity of Syrian territory?

Islamic Sharia: Military Brigades Reject Legal References and Insist on the Implementation of Sharia

The Unified Arab Law: Demands for its implementation as a Middle Ground between Syrian State Law and Islamic Sharia

Judicial Schemes and the Shape of Laws in Areas outside the control of the Syrian Regime

Judiciary in Aleppo is unable to counter the Hegemony of the Military

Rehabilitative Program for Prisoners in Aleppo

Deraa: The Judiciary Scheme, Shape of laws in it since its Liberation

Eastern Ghouta: Foundation of Independent Judiciary following Liberation

Judiciary is absent from Western Ghouta and Sharia Implementation in Qalamoon

Jaysh al-Fateh Promises to implement a Unified Judicial Reference in Idlib

Al-Nusra Front Controls Judiciary in Lattakia Countryside

Hama Countryside: Absence of Judiciary and Subordination of Khan Sheyhun court

Al-Waer court and resolving dispute by consensus in Homs

Judiciary in Deir ez-Zor terminated by ISIS

Attempts at founding Judiciary in Raqqa were terminated by ISIS

Judiciary System under Baath Rule

 How do Syrians value courts’ performance and Judiciary in their liberated areas?

Killing Justice in the North of Syria

Higher Judiciary Institute in Aleppo: First Graduates in Liberated Areas