Damascus, SANA-The Ministry of Interior announced a new structure for the ministry, based on good governance and institutional work.
The Ministry affirmed that the new structure is derived from the strategic vision currently being finalized, stems from local needs, draws on Syrian academic expertise at home and abroad, and is in line with the spirit of the times and the experiences of developed countries.
In a statement during a press conference on Saturday, Ministry of Interior spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba reviewed the most important developments in the new structure, which includes internal security and civil affairs, the creation of new departments, and the merger of others.
He stressed that the Ministry of Interior is a service entity that ensures civil peace, the rule of law, and the security necessary for progress and prosperity, and that it views society as a key partner in creating a state of security and stability.
The spokesman said that the Ministry of Interior held a consultative session at its headquarters on Thursday, May 22, bringing together a number of Syrian national experts in legal, administrative, and police specialties who had defected from the former regime.
He added that the session aimed to present the ministry’s new administrative structure for discussion, inform those present of its vision, and listen to their contributions and comments.
The spokesman said that the presidency had approved the latest version, amended by the committees assigned to the new structure.
He added that the most notable developments in the new internal security structure are the merger of the police and public security agencies into a single agency called the Internal Security Command in the Governorate. This command is headed by a single commander representing the Minister of Interior in the governorate, and several directorates are subordinate to it in the regions that comprise the governorate’s geography. The number of security commanders will be proportional to the number of Syrian governorates.
“The Ministry is working in the General Administration of Civil Affairs to re-govern procedures, automate information, and issue new visual identity ID cards that are appropriate for the new, free Syria. We are suffering greatly due to poor infrastructure and digital infrastructure, outdated and ineffective administrative procedures previously imposed, undisciplined policies, and widespread vandalism of the administration’s facilities.” The spokesperson said.
He continued: “Departments have been created to receive complaints, monitor errors, and hold accountable those who commit disciplinary violations. There will be five central complaints departments under the Public Relations Department, in addition to a special complaints application that will be launched soon. Separate departments have also been created for communications and networks, information technology, cybersecurity, and communications security. Their goal is to keep pace with the times, preserve the privacy of both the ministry’s and citizens’ data, confront the threats of digital hacking and cybercrime, and develop the most important applications we need to serve citizens.”
The spokesperson added that a special department for prisons and corrections has been established, with the goal of enshrining human rights principles and rehabilitating prisoners so they become useful individuals to themselves and their communities. Prisons should serve as a means of enforcing the law and correcting behavior, while preserving the dignity of prisoners, guaranteeing their rights, and safeguarding their humanity.
He pointed to the great suffering in prisons, as the prisons of the former regime lack the most basic elements of humanity and dignity, and are evidence of its crimes against tens of thousands of Syrians, including those kidnapped, detained, forcibly disappeared, and missing. Rebuilding modern prisons with humane standards requires resources and time.
The spokesperson noted that the name of the Criminal Security Department has been changed, due to its negative association with Syrians, to the Criminal Investigation Department, due to its professional and academic significance. Combating cybercrimes and extortion will be among its mandates.
“The role of the Anti-Narcotics Department has been strengthened, and we are working to further develop it, given its importance both inside and outside Syria, especially after the ousted president transformed Syria into the largest supplier of Captagon. Despite its recent formation, the department has quickly become an important regional partner for neighboring countries in the fight against drugs. Work is currently underway to develop its role in combating addiction by opening new addiction treatment centers and developing existing centers, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.” The spokesman said.
He added: “The Ministry of Interior inherited a traffic department riddled with corruption and backwardness. Therefore, a traffic vision has been developed based on the concept of a smart city, where technology assumes the duties of traffic officers, reducing the scope for corruption, increasing the efficiency of the department, and speeding up the resolution of cases.”
The spokesperson explained that a Tourist Police Department has been created to secure tourist sites and their visitors. Its personnel will be trained to master foreign languages and interact with different nationalities. This is to promote tourism, reflecting the belief in its important role in supporting the national economy, and introducing Syria’s civilization to the world.
The spokesperson said: “Due to the increasing international human rights violations and to protect human dignity and rights, we have created an Anti-Human Trafficking Department, which is responsible for combating prostitution networks, human smuggling, organ trafficking, begging, and other crimes.”
He added: “Given the critical importance of border security and the need to maintain positive relations with its friendly neighbors, a Border Guard Department has been established. This department is responsible for ensuring the safety of Syria’s land and maritime borders and combating illegal activities across them, in coordination with neighboring countries, particularly the activities of drug and human smuggling networks and terrorist organizations.”
MHD Ibrahim
