Syria Removes Assad Imagery: A Nation Unwinds 50 Years of Rule
Following the capture of Damascus on December 8, 2024, by opposition forces, a widespread dismantling of symbols representing over five decades of al-Assad rule has begun across Syria. Citizens have started removing images of Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, from public buildings and spaces, signaling a dramatic shift in the country’s landscape.
A Legacy Erased
Since Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1970, the Ba’ath Party regime systematically embedded the al-Assad name into the fabric of Syrian life. Schools, airports, hospitals, and government institutions all bore the family name, and the images of both Hafez and Bashar were prominently featured on Syrian currency.
The removal of these symbols is already underway. Schools across various provinces are taking down signs displaying the names of al-Assad family members. This dismantling of a carefully constructed personality cult presents significant challenges for the newly formed interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Legal and Symbolic Obstacles
The interim government faces not only the practical task of physically removing these symbols but also navigating a complex legal framework that enabled their proliferation. Legal researcher Maya Hussein al-Khatib explained that legislative loopholes facilitated what she termed “symbolic appropriation of state property.”
Specifically, the Local Administration Law No. 107 of 2011 granted executive councils broad authority to name streets and facilities with limited judicial oversight. Al-Khatib noted this “discretionary power” could be used responsibly, but instead became a tool for demonstrating loyalty.
Constitutional Considerations
While the Syrian constitution did not explicitly prohibit naming facilities after living individuals, Article 8 stipulated that public funds should not serve factional interests. The printing of the rulers’ images on currency, based on a decree under the Basic Monetary Law No. 23 of 2002, was legally permissible but, according to Al-Khatib, violated the principle of neutrality of public money.
Article 51 of the Syrian Civil Code grants citizens the right to object to the unjustified use of their name and demand its cessation, with insistence on its use constituting a legal offense.
The Psychological Impact
Psychologist Ghazal Samih highlighted the psychological toll of living in an environment that glorified the ruler and suppressed dissent. Individuals raised under such conditions, Samih explained, may have lost their ability to think critically, not due to a lack of intelligence, but because of limited resources and the draining effects of daily survival.
This environment fosters a heightened sensitivity to difference and a loss of personal identity, replaced by an imposed collective identity. Samih suggests that the drive to glorify the ruler stems from a fundamental human need for collective identity and a belief that doing so protects the group.
Looking Ahead: Transitional Justice
Al-Khatib proposed a process of symbolic transitional justice, involving a comprehensive review and replacement of all naming conventions imposed over the past 50 years with inclusive national symbols. She advocated for the creation of a National Symbols Committee, comprised of judges, historians, and citizens, to ensure impartiality.
She also proposed legal mechanisms to prevent future symbolic appropriation, including constitutional protections and criminal penalties for the misuse of public funds for glorification. These measures, she stated, should be codified in a “Symbolic Transitional Justice Law” prioritizing the honoring of victims.
Samih emphasized that legal reforms alone are insufficient, and that psychological and societal changes are also crucial. Building a state based on equal rights and democracy requires separating emotions from institutional work and fostering acceptance of difference through education and media.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the removal of al-Assad imagery?
The removal of images and names began after opposition forces captured Damascus on December 8, 2024, effectively ending more than 50 years of dynastic rule.
What legal challenges does the interim government face?
The interim government must overcome legislative loopholes, such as Local Administration Law No. 107 of 2011, that previously enabled the symbolic appropriation of state property.
What psychological effects did the regime’s imagery have on citizens?
Psychologist Ghazal Samih stated that individuals raised in an environment that glorified the ruler and criminalized questioning may have lost their ability to think critically and developed a diminished sense of personal identity.
As Syria begins to rebuild, will the removal of these symbols be enough to foster a truly inclusive and democratic society?