Syrian citizens have demonstrated this week to demand justice following the passing of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who died in a hospital after reportedly being mistreated by security forces while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to move away from the previously common arbitrary detentions and abuse during the previous regime’s rule.
The family of Ghamira informed the police that the 29-year-old, a father of two, had hemophilia, a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting. He was detained for three days, released on August 9, and immediately hospitalized, passing away a week later.
The death of Ghamira has become a crucial test for Syria’s new government to demonstrate whether its commitments to accountability will be put into practice following the fall of the long-standing Assad regime. The incident triggered peaceful protests and sit-ins across the country, shedding light on reports of alleged mistreatment within detention centers since the new government assumed power.
Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), emphasized the necessity for a unified and judiciously supervised system to govern detention practices, stressing that accountability should not be selective but systemic.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was accused by the Latakia Internal Security Command of stealing money. While in custody, his family was denied access to him and was informed that he was under investigation. Ghamira’s uncle stated that despite warning the police about his nephew’s medical condition, he was still mistreated while detained.
Following his release, Ghamira passed away at Latakia University Hospital, prompting Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management to mourn his death and assert the country’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
An investigation into Ghamira’s death was initiated by Syria’s Interior Ministry, resulting in the detention of seven ministry personnel for questioning. A police interrogator, who allegedly struck Ghamira despite being aware of his medical condition, is facing prosecution, with further disciplinary actions underway against other police personnel.
Rights groups expressed concerns that the internal investigation might not suffice for achieving accountability and stressed the need for an independent criminal inquiry and prosecution. They called for transparency in sharing the investigation’s outcomes with the public and the victim’s family.
Moreover, families of individuals who disappeared or died in detention during Assad’s tenure highlighted the ongoing abuses, urging for an independent and transparent investigation, systemic reforms to prevent mistreatment, and enhanced oversight of detention facilities to prevent future abuses.
Reports from human rights organizations indicate that torture and ill-treatment persist in Syria’s detention centers despite the transitional government’s promises of upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair trials. The authorities are urged to address these systemic issues and put an end to such practices.
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic documented instances of torture and ill-treatment in official and makeshift detention facilities, emphasizing the need for justice, reform, and international support to address the ongoing human rights violations in Syria.
