Country: Syria

In the context of the protracted armed conflict, civilians have suffered from gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by both government forces and non-state armed groups. Hundreds of thousands of victims have lost their lives in the conflict, and more than half of the population has been displaced.

Government forces have subjected the civilian population to indiscriminate and deliberate attacks, including through the use of illegal weapons, amounting to war crimes. Extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention and torture have become pervasive. Moreover, the practice of enforced disappearance has reached unprecedented levels and constitutes a crime against humanity, as it is used in a widespread and systematic manner.

Non-state armed groups have also been involved in committing gross acts of violence against civilians, as well as resorted to kidnappings and torture. Moreover, international actors involved in the conflict, in particular Russia and the United States, have failed to take any precautionary measures to protect the civilian population and civilian objects, leading to thousands of deaths in airstrikes.

Enforced disappearances in the context of transnational repression in the MENA

1 Introduction 1.1 Transnational repression in the MENA According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), transnational repression refers to “acts conducted or directed by a State, or its proxy, to deter, silence or punish dissent, criticism or human rights advocacy towards it, expressed from outside its territory.”[1] These acts often […]

Emirati dissident and member of the “UAE94” and “UAE84” arrested in Syria

Jasem Rashed al-Shamsi, a former UAE government official turned prominent dissident, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison in the 2013 “UAE94” mass trial after supporting democratic reforms in the UAE. In December 2023, he faced new baseless terrorism-related charges as part of the “UAE84” group and was sentenced to life imprisonment in […]

Two brothers disappeared in the aftermath of the 2012 mass arrests in Daraa

Hasan and Feras Al Hariri are two brothers who own a garage in Kuwait where they fix cars. In July 2012, they returned to their hometown of Buser al-Harir, in Daraa Governorate, Syria, where their parents live. On August 13, 2012, Syrian Military Security Forces began conducting mass arrests in Buser al-Harir in Daraa. It was […]

Fouad Houblos, Lebanese survivor of September 21 shipwreck off the Syrian coast, disappears after transfer to Tartus military hospital

On September 21, 2022, a boat transporting about 150 persons sunk off near Arwad Island, beside the coast of Tartus, Syria. The boat was heading towards Europe from north Lebanon. Search and rescue operations have confirmed that at least 70 people died. Early reports indicate that 20 survivors, who successfully swam to the shore, were transferred […]

Ali Mustafa, abducted in Damascus and forcibly disappeared since July 2013

Ali Mustafa, a Syrian national from the town of Masyaf, was abducted by Syrian government forces and forcibly disappeared on July 2, 2013. Prior to his disappearance, Mustafa began residing with his daughters in their family house in Damascus, located in the “Hay al-Muhajireen” neighbourhood, close to the residence of the Syrian president. The neighbourhood […]

Syrian student Abdul Qadir Al Natour arrested in 2012 and disappeared since

Prior to his arrest, Abdul Qadir Al Natour was studying at a religious institute in Damascus. When demonstrations started in the context of the Arab spring, Al Natour took part in the marches, including shortly before his abduction. On May 26, 2012, Al Natour’s residence, which he shared with fellow students, was raided by Military […]

Cybercrime Law No. 20/2022 (AR)

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القانون رقم 16 رئيس الجمهورية بناء على أحكام الدستور. وعلى ما أقره مجلس الشعب في جلسته المنعقدة بتاريخ 25-8-1443 هـ الموافق 28-3-2022م يصدر ما يلي: المادة 1- يقصد بالتعذيب في معرض تطبيق أحكام هذا القانون كل عمل أو امتناع عن عمل ينتج عنه ألم أو عذاب شديد جسدياً كان أم عقلياً يلحق بشخص ما […]

Legislative Decree No. 15/2016, Amnesty Law_Arabic

Legislative Decree No. 15/2016, Amnesty Law in Arabic