Over 112,000 Individuals Forcibly Disappeared in Syria, Reports SNHR
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported on Saturday that at least 112,414 individuals remain forcibly disappeared due to the actions of the Assad regime, Jurist News reported. This alarming statistic comes despite the recent release of thousands of detainees. The SNHR emphasized that these disappearances are part of a broader strategy by the Assad government to instill fear and maintain control over the population, leaving families in profound uncertainty and distress.
The ongoing human rights crisis in Syria has drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations, which accuse the Assad regime of employing systematic tactics to silence dissent and eliminate opposition. Practices such as arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances have been highlighted as key violations.
International pressure is mounting to hold the Assad regime accountable for these disappearances, with various governments and organizations calling for thorough investigations into human rights abuses. However, tangible actions remain limited, complicated by geopolitical dynamics that often overshadow humanitarian concerns.
In light of these concerns, United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, addressed the Security Council on Saturday, emphasizing the need for an inclusive transition following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. He advocated for a Syrian-led process that ensures credible governance, constitutional reform, and the holding of free elections, highlighting the importance of women’s participation.
Pedersen acknowledged concerns among Syria’s minorities regarding their future under the new transitional government, which has been formed by a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Despite claims of protecting all ethnic and religious rights, reports of attacks on minorities, including Christians and Alawites, have surfaced, with Kurds in the north facing threats from Turkish-backed militias.
The transitional authority has suspended the constitution for three months to propose amendments, with the government expected to remain in power until March 1, 2025.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring protests, quickly escalated into a civil war marked by widespread human rights violations, including torture and chemical attacks on civilians. The Assad regime ruled Syria for nearly 50 years until its overthrow in 2024, prompting calls for reconstruction, the establishment of the rule of law, and humanitarian assistance in the war-torn country.
