The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) published a report on Thursday, accusing the Syrian regime of killing at least 43 people through torture and arresting at least 756 civilians.
The SNHR found that the Syrian regime has significantly increased its targeting of citizens, as well as refugees and returnees in the areas under its control.
The SNHR documented at least 756 cases of arbitrary detention, including 9 children and 24 women, who were arrested in detention centers affiliated with the regime’s forces. Ninety-seven of them were released, while 659 were subjected to enforced disappearance.
Since the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision on November 16, 2023, until August 15, 2024, these arrests have involved “refugees and displaced persons” attempting to reach their return areas under the control of Syrian regime forces, as well as refugees who returned through crossing points with Lebanon and Turkey.
The report also mentions the deaths of at least 43 people through torture in detention centers of the Syrian regime forces, with only the bodies of 4 victims handed over to their families.
It concludes that this data confirms that the Syrian regime continues to practice various types of torture, starting with the process of arbitrary arrest, and recommends that the ICJ take immediate and effective measures to address these violations and ensure that justice and accountability are served.
It also recommended that the Security Council impose sanctions on Syrian officials directly involved in or responsible for torture and arbitrary detention.
