Syrian citizens demonstrated this week demanding justice for the death of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital after alleged mistreatment by security forces while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new administration pledged to end the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse of the past regime.
Ghamira, a 29-year-old father of two, suffered from hemophilia, a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting. He was detained for three days, released on August 9, and immediately hospitalized, succumbing to his condition a week later.
The new Syrian government faces scrutiny over Ghamira’s demise as a test of its commitment to accountability following the end of the longstanding authoritarian rule of the Assad family. His death prompted peaceful demonstrations across the country, shedding light on multiple reports of alleged mistreatment in detention facilities since the new regime took charge.
Fadel Abdulghany, the Executive Director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), expressed concerns over the lack of a unified, judicially supervised system governing detention practices in Syria’s transitional phase. He emphasized the need for systemic accountability to address such cases effectively.
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 while in custody.
Following his death, an investigation was launched by Syria’s Interior Ministry, resulting in the detention of seven ministry personnel for questioning. Major General Ahmed Latouf, heading the investigative committee, revealed that Ghamira’s fatal complications stemmed from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by physical assault during interrogation.
The Syria Campaign denounced the investigation’s outcome, pointing out systemic failures that permit violence in detention facilities and shield wrongdoers under a culture of impunity. Families for Freedom, representing detainees’ relatives, demanded an independent and transparent inquiry, systemic reforms to prevent future abuses, and publicizing investigation outcomes.
Despite promises of accountability by the interim government, reports from rights organizations indicate persistent abuses in detention centers. Syrians for Truth and Justice highlighted ongoing severe beatings, torture, and deaths in custody, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to halt mistreatment and ensure justice prevails in the new Syria.