A delegation of approximately 20 Turkish lawmakers is set to visit Sednaya prison in Syria on December 30 to investigate severe human rights abuses reported under Bashar Assad’s regime. Mustafa Alkayış, a member of the Turkish Parliament’s Human Rights Investigations Commission, emphasized the mission’s goal: to illuminate the violations occurring at Sednaya and advocate for the rights of affected individuals, regardless of their background.
Sednaya prison, located north of Damascus, is infamous for extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances, earning a reputation as a hub of human rights violations during the Syrian civil war since 2011. After a recent uprising against Assad’s rule, families have flocked to the prison, hoping to find loved ones; however, few detainees were located amid reports of over 4,000 prisoners being freed by anti-regime forces.
The prison’s dark legacy includes reports of nearly 50 individuals executed weekly between 2011 and 2015, exposing the regime’s systematic use of torture, starvation, and deprivation of medical care. Amnesty International classified Sednaya as a “human slaughterhouse,” revealing the brutal realities faced by prisoners. Alkayış underscored the urgency of documenting and preserving evidence concerning the countless victims held there.
The inquiry will encompass representatives from various political affiliations within the Turkish Parliament, with additional support from the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (TIHEK). They aim to compile a comprehensive report detailing human rights violations across all Syrian prisons, which will be used to raise international awareness and potentially bolster cases before the International Criminal Court.
In a collective appeal, three rights organizations, including the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), urged new authorities in Syria to secure evidence of atrocities under Assad’s regime. Highlighting the critical need for evidence preservation, these groups warned of fading opportunities to ascertain the fates of the forcibly disappeared and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Amnesty International and other watchdogs stressed the importance of immediate action to protect evidence found in mass graves and detention facilities. Investigations revealed that critical documents were often left unsecured or even destroyed, complicating efforts to hold those responsible for abuses accountable. Ensuring the safety of such sites is paramount, as the fate of countless victims remains uncertain.
Robert Petit, head of a U.N. investigative unit, reiterated that ample evidence exists for prosecuting crimes against humanity in Syria, but urgent efforts are needed to secure it.
A group of Turkish lawmakers will investigate human rights violations at Sednaya prison in Syria on December 30. This prison has become notorious for torture, executions, and forced disappearances. The Turkish team’s mission aims to document the abuses and press for justice for victims. Meanwhile, rights organizations urge Syrian authorities to secure vital evidence of atrocities committed under Assad’s rule, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the pursuit of justice.
The Turkish delegation’s visit to Sednaya prison signifies a crucial step towards uncovering and documenting the egregious human rights abuses perpetrated under Assad’s regime. With coordinated efforts among various political and human rights groups, the aim is to not only raise awareness but also establish a foundation for accountability and justice for the victims. The preservation and documentation of evidence are pivotal if the international community is to address these crimes adequately.
This article addresses the upcoming visit of a Turkish delegation to Sednaya prison in Syria to probe allegations of human rights violations committed under the Assad regime. Sednaya has been the focal point of abuses since the civil war began in 2011, with reports of systematic torture and extrajudicial killings. The initiative reflects Turkey’s growing concern for human rights and accountability within war-torn Syria, connecting to broader international efforts to document violations and secure justice for victims.
Original Source: www.dailysabah.com
