Private property rights remain at the center of a long-running legal and social dispute in Syria, where decades of expropriation and agrarian reform policies left many families unable to reclaim land or receive compensation. The issue reflects a widening gap between legal provisions and administrative practice, with thousands of cases still unresolved after generations.
The roots of the crisis trace back to Agrarian Reform Law No. 161 of 1958, which authorized the seizure of land exceeding state-imposed ownership limits, often without compensation. It was later followed by Expropriation Law No. 60 of 1979 and its 1983 amendment, which gave authorities broad powers to take property for projects deemed to serve the public interest.
Although the laws formally required compensation, many affected families say payments either never arrived or failed to reflect the true value of the land. Over time, the concept of “public benefit” became, for many owners, synonymous with indefinite loss and legal uncertainty.
Families Still Waiting for Resolution
The human impact remains visible in stories repeated across Damascus and its countryside. Mahmoud Hori said his family lost its homes in Damascus 45 years ago for the planned Talal al-Sham project, which was later abandoned. Despite the project’s cancellation, expropriation notations still remain on the property deeds, preventing the family from regaining control.
A similar account came from Jamila Tabbarah, who said her father’s land in Zabadani was expropriated decades ago. The compensation offered, she said, was so limited that he refused it, and the loss contributed to a serious decline in his health. Their experience mirrors that of many other families whose land remains unused, neither serving a public purpose nor returning to private ownership.
Legal Gaps and Administrative Delays
Legal experts say the problem extends beyond delays. Mufid Halawa said the law allowed authorities to deduct a “free quarter” from expropriated property without compensation, a measure many owners still view as fundamentally unfair. He also noted that administrations often failed to deposit compensation before transferring ownership, leaving thousands of dunam (1,000 m²) tied up in unresolved legal status.
Samir Hori, another legal expert, said the law provides for the expiration of an expropriation notation after 45 years if the project is not implemented. In practice, however, many owners report that the notations remain in place well beyond that period, even in cases where the original plans were abandoned.
Committee Review Tests Government Credibility
Rural Damascus Gov. Amir al-Sheikh recently announced a committee to review longstanding expropriation files, describing many of the past actions under the Assad regime as unjust. The committee is now collecting records and sorting cases based on whether properties are occupied, vacant, compensated, or uncompensated.
The review process is expected to be lengthy given that some cases date back over 60 years. Still, the committee’s formation and the governor’s acknowledgment of past abuses have raised cautious expectations among affected families.
The outcome may now serve as a broader test of legal credibility. Whether authorities cancel outdated notations, provide compensation based on market value, or pursue accountability for past misuse will likely determine whether this issue moves toward resolution or remains another unresolved legacy of state administration.
