Syrians protested this week demanding justice for the death of Mohammad Ghamira, who passed away in a hospital after allegedly suffering abuse by security forces while in detention. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to end the prevalent arbitrary detentions and mistreatment that was common during the previous regime.
Ghamira’s family informed the police that the 29-year-old, a father of two, had hemophilia, a rare genetic disorder that affects blood clotting. He was held in custody for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his condition a week later.
The passing of Ghamira has placed pressure on Syria’s new government to demonstrate its commitment to accountability following the end of the long-standing authoritarian rule of the Assad regime. His death triggered peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins across the country, shedding light on numerous allegations of abuse at detention facilities since the new government assumed power.
Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), emphasized the need for a unified and judicially supervised system to govern detention practices in Syria’s transition period. He emphasized that the handling of cases like Ghamira’s will be crucial in determining the success of accountability measures.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained over accusations of theft, as stated by the Latakia Internal Security Command. Despite his family’s warnings about his medical condition, Ghamira was reportedly mistreated while in custody and later passed away at Latakia University Hospital.
The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, mourned Ghamira’s death, attributing it to complications resulting from a beating he endured while in custody. The government has initiated an investigation into the incident, detaining seven personnel for questioning.
The findings of the internal investigation have drawn criticism from rights groups like The Syria Campaign, who argue that the system must be reformed to prevent future abuses and ensure accountability. The call for an independent and transparent inquiry, along with systemic reforms, has been echoed by various organizations and family members of detainees who have suffered similar fates.
Despite assurances from the interim government of accountability and adherence to the rule of law, reports indicate that abuses persist in detention centers. Organizations tracking human rights abuses have documented ongoing mistreatment, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to address systemic issues within Syria’s detention facilities.