Syrian citizens demonstrated this week demanding justice for the death of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital following alleged mistreatment by security forces during his detention. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to end the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse that characterized the previous regime.
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 custody for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately taken to the hospital, where he died a week later.
The death of Ghamira is seen as a test for Syria’s new government to demonstrate its commitment to accountability post the Assad regime’s long-standing authoritarian rule. His passing prompted peaceful protests and sit-ins across the country, shedding light on other reported cases of mistreatment in detention facilities since the new government 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 in the transitioning Syria to ensure accountability and prevent selective justice.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained on suspicion of theft, according to the Latakia Internal Security Command. Despite his family’s warnings about his medical condition, he was allegedly subjected to physical abuse while in custody, leading to his demise shortly after his release.
The Interior Ministry of Syria launched an investigation into Ghamira’s death, resulting in the detention of seven ministry personnel for questioning. A police interrogator was found to have mistreated Ghamira, leading to his referral for prosecution.
Rights groups, including Families for Freedom, are advocating for an independent and transparent investigation into Ghamira’s death, along with systemic reforms to prevent future abuses in detention centers. The push for accountability extends to addressing the persisting mistreatment reported in detention facilities post the regime change in Syria.
The United Nations has previously documented cases of torture and ill-treatment in official and makeshift detention centers in Syria, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms to uphold human rights standards and prevent further abuses.