Syrians demonstrated this week demanding justice for Mohammad Ghamira, a man who passed away in a hospital after alleged mistreatment by security forces during detention. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to discontinue the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse under the previous regime.
Ghamira’s family informed the police that the 29-year-old, a father of two, had hemophilia, a genetic disorder that hinders blood clotting. He spent three days in detention before being released on August 9 and promptly hospitalized. Sadly, he died a week later.
For the new Syrian government, Ghamira’s death serves as a test of its commitment to accountability post the Assad regime’s long-standing rule. His demise triggered peaceful demonstrations in the country, shedding light on numerous alleged mistreatment cases at detention centers under the new administration.
Fadel Abdulghany, the Executive Director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), emphasized the need for a unified, judicially supervised detention system to address concerns raised by Ghamira’s death.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained over an alleged theft accusation 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 release, Ghamira passed away due to complications from cerebral and gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. The Syria Campaign expressed concern over the investigation’s findings, stating that systemic reforms are crucial to prevent future abuses in detention facilities.
The Interior Ministry announced an investigation into Ghamira’s death, leading to the detention of seven personnel for questioning. The head of the investigating committee disclosed that a police interrogator had struck Ghamira during questioning, despite being aware of his medical condition. The interrogator will face prosecution, and disciplinary actions against other involved personnel are underway.
Despite the government’s promises of accountability, rights groups continue to report ongoing abuses in detention centers. Syrians for Truth and Justice highlighted the persistence of severe beatings, electric shocks, and deaths in custody, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to prevent further mistreatment.
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic documented instances of “torture and ill-treatment” in various official and makeshift detention facilities, underscoring the urgent need for justice and reform in Syria’s detention system.