Syrian citizens have demonstrated this week to demand justice for the passing of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital following alleged mistreatment by security personnel while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new administration pledged to depart from the prevalent systemic detentions and abuse under the previous regime.
Ghamira’s relatives informed authorities that the 29-year-old, a father of two, suffered from hemophilia, a genetic condition that affects blood clotting. He was detained for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately hospitalized, where he passed away a week later.
The death of Ghamira is seen as a critical test for the new Syrian government in fulfilling its commitment to accountability post the regime change, which had ruled for over five decades. Following Ghamira’s demise, peaceful protests and sit-ins have emerged across the nation, shedding light on numerous allegations of mistreatment in detention facilities under the current administration.
Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), highlighted that Ghamira’s case underscores the ongoing concerns regarding detention practices lacking a unified, judicially supervised framework since the regime transition. The transition’s success, according to Abdulghany, hinges on establishing systemic accountability rather than selective prosecution.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, had been detained over an allegation of theft by the Latakia Internal Security Command. His family was denied visitation during his custody, with authorities simply stating he was under investigation. Despite the family’s warnings about his medical condition, Ghamira was reportedly subjected to physical abuse while in custody.
His burial took place in his hometown of al-Haffah in Latakia province, with the Interior Ministry announcing an investigation into his death. The Ministry disclosed that seven personnel were detained for questioning, and an interrogator who had struck Ghamira was to face prosecution.
In light of these events, rights groups continue to emphasize that systemic reforms are essential to prevent future mistreatment in detention centers and ensure accountability across the new administration. The persistent reports of abuse in detention facilities underscore the challenges faced by the transitional government in upholding the rule of law and human rights in Syria.