Syria's Reconstruction Deals Lack Human Rights Framework

The Syrian transitional government is signing billions of dollars in reconstruction deals without a human rights framework. Human Rights Watch said that the legal frameworks governing reconstruction do not require the government or developers to consult affected communities before projects are approved. The process should also require negotiating compensation terms and providing an independent mechanism for residents to challenge decisions about their homes and land. People returning to their communities are finding homes destroyed, and villages without basic services. Housing, land, and property claims from the Assad era remain unresolved. International donors and businesses should ensure that their funding supports rights-aligned recovery and does not cause or contribute to violations.