Syrians have demonstrated this week demanding justice for Mohammad Ghamira, who passed away in a hospital after reportedly being mistreated by security forces while in custody. Ghamira, a 29-year-old father of two, had hemophilia, a genetic disorder affecting blood clotting, and was detained for three days before being released and rushed to the hospital. His death has become a test for the new Syrian government’s commitment to accountability following the end of the long-standing Assad regime.
The incident has triggered peaceful protests across the country, shedding light on multiple allegations of mistreatment at detention centers under the new government. Fadel Abdulghany, from the Syrian Network for Human Rights, emphasized the need for a comprehensive judicially supervised system to address detention-related issues and ensure accountability.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained over an alleged theft, as stated by the Latakia Internal Security Command. Despite his family informing the authorities about his medical condition, he was reportedly subjected to physical abuse during interrogation, leading to his tragic demise. The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management mourned his death and vowed justice for the incident.
An investigation into Ghamira’s death has been initiated, resulting in the detention of several Interior Ministry personnel for questioning. The committee investigating the case revealed that Ghamira died due to complications from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by physical abuse while in custody. The responsible police interrogator is facing prosecution, and disciplinary actions against other involved personnel are ongoing.
Rights groups and organizations representing detainees’ families have called for an independent and transparent inquiry into Ghamira’s death, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to prevent future abuses in detention centers. They stress that accountability alone is insufficient and that comprehensive measures are necessary to ensure the protection of detainees’ rights and prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
Reports indicate persistent abuses in detention centers even after the regime change, with documented cases of torture, beatings, and deaths in custody. Efforts are underway to address these issues and establish a robust system that upholds human rights and ensures fair treatment of detainees under the new government.
