A report based on the arrests and enforced disappearances in the provinces of Syria, all dating from 20.08.2012 to 18.09.2012
Enforced disappearances have been, for many decades, a major concern in Syria. They are also a regime’s favourite as they are the main feature followed and applied by the system to solve problems the regime may be facing with different opponents. The aim to end this gross violation of human rights is not in Syria alone, but also worldwide. The United Nations, for example, adopted the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICCPED) in 2006. The aims of this convention are to prevent forced disappearance, reveal the truth details behind these disappearances, then bringing the perpetrators to international justice, in addition to compensating the victims and their families.
The last prompt action taken by Amnesty International on the detainees and enforced disappearances was on 08.20.2012, as if the disappearances stopped at this date. This raises concerns and curiosity, as Amnesty International is one of the most professional and well-known global organisations. We, in the Syrian network for Human Rights, must continue to document violations and crimes of the Syrian regime to shed light on the harsh and brutal reality the Syrian people are facing. We must document these and compare reality to what is documented already on an international based level, as there is a widespread feeling among the Syrian people of abandonment and loss of confidence in the international law, which yet continues to act in an unjust manner to the Syrian people and to the reality of the situation.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights has documented these numbers during the given period specifically.
The numbers of documented arrests and enforced disappearance since 20.08.2012 – 18.09.2012 have amounted to (1415). (136) detainees were killed under torture, whilst (1279) have an unknown fate. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, nor their parents know of their whereabouts.
Below are the details of detainees and enforced arrests in the provinces of Syria:
*Daraa – 418 – Many of which are doctors and medical and engineering students.
*Damascus – 411 in Damascus and its suburbs, whilst 60 are from the capital city itself. 351 are from Damascus suburbs. The most distinguished cases is that of the disappearance of Rama Yaser Al Oss (from Al Baramkah neighbourhood),on 27.08.2012, in which The Syrian Network for Human Rights has urgently requested immediate action to be taken to protect her.
*Hama – 262 – The most significant case being that of the optician Ghazwan Mer’i, on 13.09.2012
*Lattakia 78 – Amongst these, an entire family. The father was executed in front of his family, during the arrest and the wife along with her son and daughter were taken to prison.
*Homs – 40 – Amongst these, 5 children: Wadah Al Turki, Mohammad Al Jarwan, Ali Fahd, Abdullah Abullah and Mohammad Khair Fath Allah.
*Hasaka – 30 – Amongst them 3 women: Shahnaz Mahmoud Khalid, Shireen Nazer Yousef, Thakeya Yousef and the child, Ahmad Ibrahim Khalid.
*Tartous – 22 – Amongst them, two children Mohammad Zaghbi and Abdullah Tlaal Bayaasi
*Idlib – 17 – Omongst them Sahar Abdulaal from Mhambel and 4 more from the Halaaq family; Adham, Sa’d, Ahmad and Yasir.
*Qunaitra- 9- Amongst them, 3 from the same family; Ghasan, Ghasbaan and Ibrahim faris.
*Al Suwaida – 6 – Amongst them, Foad Sulayman, Abu Assaaf from the Area of Salem.
*Aleppo – 5 – Amongst them, Doctor Alaa Abdulmajeed – the General Office Director of Aleppo’s dream International Media. He is also a member of the Syrian journalists Union and the Union of Syrian writers. He was arrested in his office in Al Forqan neighbourhood, Al Kasberees road on 24.08.2012 and he was taken to a branch of the intelligence in the capital, Damascus.
*Al Raqa – 3.
We note that these figures are just what we managed to get hold of and document, whilst the Syrian government prevents us from working on Syrian territory. Many areas and cities of Syria are witnessing a crippling blockade as the Syrian government is doing all it can to prevent civilians from working alongside members of human rights organisations. This fear pushes Syrian friends and families to keep quiet about most cases of disappearances and arbitrary detentions. Due to this, it is expected that the real numbers of arrests and enforced disappearances are much larger than this figure.
We ask the international community and global human rights organisations, in this dictatorial and repressive situation, to quit its easy and relaxed approach to the case of enforced disappearances in Syria. Rather, we ask that they pressurise governments who claim to promote democracy, the protection of freedom and human rights, to do all they could to help human right organisations enter Syrian land. This is so they can visit detainees, talk freely with them, and investigate the various methods of torture inflicted upon them by Assad forces. We ask for the International community and human rights organisations to put pressure on governments, urging governments to ask for the locations of places and cells used for torture – these cells that have return Syrian civilians back to their families – in coffins.
Syrian Network for Human Rights – London
Website: www.syrianhr.org
Email: press@syrianhr.org
Skype: Syrianhr