Mohammad Atfah has been volunteering with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the local branch of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, since 2011. He participated in the "Psychosocial Support Program" working with children in Homs. On 3 February 2013, he was crossing a military check point in his home town when the forces manning the check point – all wearing official uniforms – arrested him. Without informing Mr Atfah of the reason for his arrest, nor showing him an arrest warrant, they took him to an unknown place. Detainees released from the Military Intelligence detention centre in Homs later reported to have seen Mr Atfah there. They further recounted that he had born marks stemming from severe physical abuse. Given that the authorities refuse to provide information about Mr Atfah's current situation, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown.

Alkarama submitted Mr Atfah's case to the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances requesting their urgent intervention with the Syrian authorities regarding his situation. We call on the Syrian authorities to respect their international human rights obligations by immediately releasing Mr Atfah or placing him under the protection of the law.