Prevention of Smuggling of Persons Law (Law No. 14 of 2021)

This law states that the State shall provide special protection to smuggled women, children, and persons with disabilities and shall take appropriate measures according to their situation, giving primary consideration to the best interests of the child (in instances of smuggled children).[1]

The law is particularly aimed at addressing the smuggling of children. This law works together with Legislative Decree No. 3 of 2010 on the prevention of human trafficking to combat the smuggling of persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the Children’s Law No. 21 of 2021, which is also aimed at protecting migrant children from trafficking in persons. In addition to these relatively recent laws, Syria has adopted a national plan to combat trafficking in persons and has created the Anti-Trafficking Department and the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

[1] For more information about the issues relevant to this law, see “Guide to Child’s Rights in Syria,” Norwegian Refugee Council and Syria Trust for Development, July 2023, https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/guidelines/legal-protection-of-children/syria-child-rights-guide_english.pdf.