The regime’s security forces and the military checkpoints have become more like official fee collection centers that share citizens’ limited resources and impose the payment of bribes under false pretenses, such as security procedure requirements. Returnees to regime-held areas have been particularly let down by the regime’s failure to honor laws that it claimed were designed to protect Syrian citizens.  

SACD surveys have revealed that 79 per cent of interviewees expressed resentment at the absence of the rule of law and the extreme deterioration of the security services. 97 per cent expressed their disappointment with the spread of corruption at different levels in all aspects of civilian life. 71 per cent reported that their civil rights had been violated.

SACD surveys with Syrians living in Assad-held areas have revealed that 53 per cent of the relatives of the arrested participants are held in unknown places. It is impossible to visit them, nor can information be obtained about their cases or the reasons for their arrest, violating international laws and covenants that guarantee their rights. 52 per cent said that they believe it is unhelpful to report corruption because they believe that corruption occurs with the blessing and oversight of enterprise managers and officials and that the system shows no genuine interest in fighting corruption.