Syrians have demonstrated this week to demand justice for the passing of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital after alleged mistreatment by security forces while in custody — less than two years after the new government pledged to move away from the systematic, arbitrary detentions and mistreatment that were prevalent under the previous regime.
Ghamira’s family informed authorities that the 29-year-old father of two had hemophilia, a rare genetic condition that affects the body’s clotting ability, leading to prolonged bleeding. He was detained for three days before being released on Aug. 9 and immediately taken to the hospital where he succumbed a week later.
For Syria’s new administration, Ghamira’s death serves as a test to determine if its commitments to accountability will be put into practice following the fall of the longstanding Assad dynasty that governed the nation for over five decades.
The demise of Ghamira triggered a series of peaceful gatherings and protests across the nation this week. Human rights organizations highlight that his case is just one among many instances of reported mistreatment 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, judicially supervised system to govern detention practices to ensure accountability.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained on suspicion of theft, according to the Latakia Internal Security Command. While in custody, Ghamira’s family was denied access to him and was only informed that he was “under investigation.” Despite the family’s warnings about his medical condition, Ghamira was reportedly assaulted while in custody.
Following his release from detention, Ghamira passed away at Latakia University Hospital. Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management expressed grief over the loss, emphasizing the commitment to justice within the new legal framework of the nation.
An investigation into Ghamira’s demise was announced by Syria’s Interior Ministry, resulting in the detention of seven ministry personnel for questioning. The head of the investigating committee revealed that Ghamira’s death was due to complications from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by physical assault during interrogation. The police interrogator responsible for the assault is facing prosecution, while further disciplinary actions against other involved personnel are ongoing.
Despite promises of accountability in Ghamira’s case, human rights groups stress that abuses persist in detention centers. Reports indicate ongoing mistreatment, beatings, and deaths in custody by various security and military entities. Calls for an independent and transparent investigation, along with systemic reforms to prevent such atrocities, have been made by advocacy groups representing families of detainees.
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic highlighted instances of torture and ill-treatment in official and makeshift detention facilities in different regions of Syria in a previous report. The need for structural changes to end abusive practices in detention centers remains a pressing concern for rights organizations.