Syrian Jihadist Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais, one of the most extreme figures in Al-Julani’s jihadist government, issued a Circular No. (17) in November 2025, that is violating the Syrian constitution and human rights covenants, especially the rights of children and mothers.

Circular No. (17) Constitutes a flagrant violation of the rights of both the child and the mother. And contradicts the principle of the best interests of the child.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Syrian Arab Republic is a party, stipulates that the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration in all actions concerning the child, and that the role and responsibilities of both parents shall be respected without discrimination.

The Jihadist Circular No. (17) Excluding the mother from guardianship:

•Does not serve the best interests of the child,

•Exposes the child to legal and psychological instability,

•Places crucial decisions in the hands of parties who may have no actual connection to the child’s daily care.

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the explicit text of this Jihadist Directive No. (17) No. (17), has practical effects:

•Contradicts the principle of the best interests of the child,

•Reinforces gender-based discrimination,

•Diminishes the mother’s legal capacity as a citizen.

Jihadist Directive No. (17) undermines the principle of family protection, as the family is the fundamental unit of society, and the mother is a cornerstone of its stability, through:

• Strips the mother of her natural guardianship,

• Makes her legally subject to other parties less connected to the child,

and leads to the disintegration of the family, weakening citizens’ trust in the law and its institutions.