Syrian citizens gathered in public demonstrations this week demanding justice following the death of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital after allegedly facing mistreatment by security personnel while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new administration pledged to eradicate the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuses that were typical during the previous regime’s rule.
Ghamira’s family informed the authorities that the 29-year-old, a father of two, had hemophilia, a genetic disorder affecting blood clotting. He was held in detention for three days before his release on August 9, when he was promptly taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his condition a week later.
The passing of Ghamira has become a crucial test for Syria’s new government to prove its commitment to accountability post the long-standing Assad regime. The incident sparked peaceful protests and sit-ins across the nation, shedding light on numerous alleged mistreatments at detention centers since the new leadership assumed power.
Fadel Abdulghany, the Executive Director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, emphasized the need for a structured judicially supervised system to govern detention practices for a successful transition in Syria.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained on suspicion of theft by the Latakia Internal Security Command. Despite his family’s warnings about his medical condition, he was reportedly subjected to physical abuse during his detention.
Following his release, Ghamira passed away at Latakia University Hospital. The Interior Ministry of Syria initiated an investigation into his demise, leading to the detainment of seven ministry personnel for questioning.
In light of these events, families of individuals who faced similar fates during Assad’s rule expressed concerns over the persistence of abuses within detention facilities. They called for an independent and transparent inquiry into Ghamira’s case and stressed the importance of systemic reforms to prevent future mistreatments and ensure accountability.
Rights groups highlighted the ongoing abuses in detention centers, pointing out the need for substantial changes in operations and oversight to eliminate violence and protect detainees’ rights under the new government.
