Beyond Direct Violence: Addressing Structural and Cultural Oppression in Syria

The direct violence inflicted by the Assad regime in Syria did not exist in isolation; it may fuel cultural and structural violence, reinforcing cycles of oppression and injustice. As Johan Galtung highlighted, different forms of violence are deeply interconnected. Ignoring this reality risks allowing structural injustices to persist long after the physical violence subsides.

There is a fine line between responsible historical documentation and exploitative media consumption. Any attempt to repurpose or erase sites of suffering, such as Syria’s notorious prisons, without acknowledging their history risks perpetuating injustice. Ethical documentation, memorialization, and responsible storytelling are crucial to ensuring truth, justice, and historical accountability.

Now more than ever, NGOs must support Syrians, not just to respond to immediate violence but to prevent its ripple effects from manifesting in systemic and cultural oppression. We must act now to ensure that the lessons of today do not become the injustices of tomorrow.