Normalizing relations with the Syrian regime, which is responsible for massive human rights atrocities, will only serve to legitimize its actions and embolden its oppressive practices and could encourage other autocrats and dictators to undermine the rules-based international order.The regime frequently shows a willingness to address its human rights issues during negotiations, using this pretense to achieve normalization. In reality, these false promises have never become true, as seen after normalizations with the Arab League. Any nation that normalizes with this regime accepts its actions and is complicit in the killing, oppression and injustice of innocents.Global leaders must not normalize relations with a criminal regime until the demands to respect and protect the Syrian people’s civil, social, and political rights are fully met and the perpetrators are held accountable.  Lifting sanctions and normalizing relations with the regime will only embolden both the Syrian regime and its allies to continue committing war crimes and crimes against humanity and could encourage other autocrats and dictators to undermine the rules-based international order.Human rights must not be a mere pretext; they must be the central and non-negotiable demand.