Syrians have recently demonstrated demanding justice for the tragic death of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital following alleged mistreatment by security forces while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to eradicate the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse that characterized the previous regime.
The family of Ghamira informed the authorities that the 29-year-old father of two suffered from hemophilia, a genetic disorder affecting blood clotting. He was detained for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately hospitalized, where he succumbed to his condition a week later.
The death of Ghamira has become a crucial test for Syria’s new government to demonstrate its commitment to accountability post the long-standing Assad regime. His passing has led to peaceful protests and sit-ins within the country, shedding light on various allegations of mistreatment in detention centers under the new government’s tenure.
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 in the transitional phase of Syria.
Ghamira, a former volunteer with the White Helmets, was detained on suspicion of theft by the Latakia Internal Security Command. Despite his family’s warnings about his medical condition, he was reportedly subjected to physical violence while in custody, leading to his tragic demise.
The Syrian Interior Ministry launched an investigation into Ghamira’s death, resulting in the detention of seven Ministry personnel for questioning. The committee investigating the case revealed that Ghamira’s death was due to complications from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by physical abuse during interrogation.
While the government has promised accountability in this case, rights groups emphasize that such abuse is not an isolated incident, with reports of ongoing mistreatment in detention centers. There are calls for systemic reforms to prevent further abuses and ensure transparency and justice in dealing with such cases.