Syria - Latest Publications

SYR - News

Syria: Two Men From the Same Family Disappeared Following Abduction by the Air Force Intelligence

SYR - News | 22 November 2016

On 18 November 2016, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) regarding the cases of two Syrian citizens from the village of Kafr al-Tun, who disappeared in the Governorate of Hama in western central Syria in 2012. They were both arrested during raids conducted by the Air Force Intelligence, after which they were brought to unknown places of detention. Their families remain without information on their fates and whereabouts and did not take any action after their disappearance, fearing reprisals or to be arrested themselves.

Syria: Political Activist Faeq Al Mir Disappeared for Three Years

SYR - News | 10 November 2016

On 7 October 2013, Syrian political activist Asaad Al Mir– also known as Faeq Al Mir – was arrested in Damascus and has since been disappeared. His family is very concerned as he needs regular medical care due to health issues he suffers because of previous mistreatment in detention. Hoping that the United Nations’ intervention with the Syrian authorities will help shed light on his fate and whereabouts, on 9 November 2016, Alkarama submitted his case to the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID).

Syria: UN Member States Propose 231 Recommendations During Universal Periodic Review

SYR - News | 08 November 2016

On 4 November 2016, the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adopted a draft report containing the recommendations made by United Nations Member States to Syria during the State's review, which took place on 31 October 2016. During the review, States expressed their concern over Syria's human rights situation, especially regarding the gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law, the widespread practice of torture, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, attacks against civilians and hospitals, the lack of cooperation with the UN, particularly with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry. All these issues were previously raised by Alkarama in its March 2016 report submitted to the Human Rights Council (HRC) ahead of Syria's review.

Syria: A 59-year-old Man Disappeared Since 1999 Following His Transfer by the Lebanese Authorities

SYR - News | 14 October 2016

On 13 October 2016, Alkarama wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearance (WGEID) regarding the case of a Lebanese citizen from the village of Brummana, in the Mount Lebanese Governorate, who disappeared in Syria in 1999. Arrested by the Lebanese Army in 1997, he was brought to an unknown place of detention and later transferred to the Syrian authorities. His family remains without any official information on his fate and whereabouts since 1999, when his sister last saw him in a detention centre in Damascus.

Syria: Five Men Disappear Following Their Arrest at Checkpoints Between 2012 and 2016

SYR - News | 30 September 2016

On 10 August 2016, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) regarding the cases of five men arrested at checkpoints by members of security forces – one by the State Security Forces, and four by the Military Security – between 2012 and 2016. They all remain disappeared since and their families, despite several steps taken, remain with little or no information of their fate and whereabouts.

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Syria - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

ICCPR: Accessed on 21.04.1969
Optional Protocol: No

State report: Overdue since 01.08.2009 (4th)
Last concluding observations: 09.08.2005

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 19.08.2004
Optional Protocol: No
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): No
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

State report: Overdue since 14.05.2014 (2nd)
Last concluding observations: 29.06.2012

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

No

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 10.2011 (1st cycle)
Next review: 2016 (2nd cycle)

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

No