Thousands released from Syrian prisons, with feared children still held in underground cells – BBC News

by time news

image provided,⁤ ADSP

Image description,⁢ A small child comes out of a cell with an open​ door.

3 hours ​ago

Alex phillips,Sebastian ⁤Asher,BBC News

Rebel⁤ forces that have taken control‌ of the⁣ entire country are‌ releasing guards from prisons across the country.⁤ A ‌young child and her mother were also freed from the notorious Saidnaya ⁤prison in‌ the capital Damascus, a video of⁣ which has been circulated. ⁢There is also information that many⁤ people are being held‌ captive ⁢in underground cells.

The ‍Association of Detainees ‌and Missing Persons ‍in Saidnaya Prison (ADMSP) posted the video online. A small child‍ is shown freeing the women.

“He (President ⁣Bashar al-Assad)​ has fallen.⁢ Do‌ not be afraid,” a voice seems to tell the women that ‍they are now safe.

Several other videos ⁣of the prison have​ also surfaced.

In footage confirmed by ‌AFP as ‌authentic, ⁢people are‍ seen running towards people leaving the prison ‌to check if their loved ones are there.

ADMSP estimates that⁤ over⁢ 30,000 detainees⁢ were executed or died from torture, lack of medical care or starvation‌ between ‌2011 ‍and 2018 under Assad’s rule. ​At least 500‌ additional detainees⁢ were​ killed ⁢between 2018 and 2021, he said, based ‍on accounts from the‍ few ⁤released.

In⁢ 2017, the international human rights association Amnesty International said that up to 13,000⁣ people were secretly executed by hanging in Saidnaya Prison over a five-year ‌period.reportannounced.

The Syrian⁤ government has rejected Amnesty⁤ International’s claims, saying they are “baseless” and “false.”‍ He​ insisted that all deaths in Syria follow due process.

In response,the Syrian ‍civil ​defense group,known‌ as the White ⁤Helmets,announced on its social media site X that it was investigating. Five⁣ “special emergency teams” have been sent to ‌the prison.

Authorities in Damascus are asking former soldiers of ​the Assad regime and prison staff to provide ​the‌ rebels with a code to open the electronic door in the prison’s basement.

Officials say they are⁤ unable ⁣to release “more than 100,000 detainees shown on surveillance​ monitors” as electronic⁣ doors cannot be opened.

Videos circulating on the internet⁤ and in news outlets⁣ such as Al Jazeera appear to show large numbers of people trying to ​reach lower levels in prison. The video shows ​a man using a jackhammer to break down the bottom of the wall, revealing‍ a dark space‌ on the other side.

Is torture ‍and execution normal?

as the start of the‌ Syrian ‍civil⁤ war in 2011,more than 130,000⁢ people ⁤are said to have been held⁤ by government forces in various detention facilities. ⁤Human rights groups say torture was common there.

Against this background,the rebel ⁢group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS,which means “Freedom Organization​ of Sham”) ​announced ‌on the 7th⁣ of‍ this month that they had taken control of the city center of homs ⁤and released more more than 3,500 ‌people from the military. prisons.

A few⁣ hours later, early on the 8th,‍ HTS entered ⁤the capital and declared the end of the era of violence in Saidnaya Prison.”

“Saidnaya” is‌ a symbol of the most horrific abuses committed by the Assad regime for a long time.

A ⁢large number of people were subjected to torture, sexual violence, and mass ⁣executions in⁣ this ⁣prison. Many of them went missing, and their families did not even know if they were ‌alive or dead for many years.

Omar al-Shoghre, who survived the ordeal after ‍spending three years in prison as a teenager,​ said ⁢on the 8th: “I ⁤know pain.

He also said, “They (prison authorities)⁣ forced my cousin, whom I loved, to torture me, and forced me to torture him.

Play the video, “Syrian rebels declare victory… joy and anxiety seen by a BBC reporter arriving in Damascus hours⁣ later”,‍ Duration 4,1304:13

In syria, these massive mechanisms of torture, death ‌and humiliation were set up ‌to terrorize the public. The reason ⁢for the anger about this rule ​of terror was because the people’s deep ⁤hatred for ​the​ Assad regime ⁣(both father and son) had been simmering under the ⁤surface for many years.

For⁣ that reason, as the ⁤rebels who overthrew the Assad regime quickly took control of the entire country, they made sure to ⁣visit the large prisons in each city and‍ continued ⁣to release thousands or thousands of⁢ prisoners in each⁣ region.

The sight of so many people emerging from the darkness into the light will remain one of the defining images of the fall of the ‍Assad dynasty.

How is the international community responding to human rights violations in Syria?

Time.news Interview: Shedding light on Recent Developments in Syria

[Editor]: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the shocking developments in⁢ Syria, especially concerning the release ⁤of detainees from the notorious Saidnaya prison. joining us is Dr. Emily Chen, ​a prominent expert in International Human Rights and Middle⁢ Eastern Politics. Thank you for being⁢ here,​ Dr. Chen.

[Dr. Chen]: Thank you ​for having me. It’s a‌ crucial topic that needs to be discussed.

[Editor]: The recent footage showing a young child and their mother being freed from Saidnaya prison has gone viral. What are the implications of such images in the context of the‍ ongoing crisis?

[Dr. Chen]: Those images are incredibly powerful.⁤ They symbolize not only the hope and resilience of ⁣the Syrian people but also illustrate the horrors endured within‍ the prison system. ⁤The fact that a child was involved in the release shows the urgency of the situation; it highlights that innocent lives are still⁣ affected by the ongoing conflict and repression.

[Editor]: The Association of detainees and Missing Persons in Saidnaya Prison estimates over 30,000 detainees faced execution or death by torture during assad’s regime. ‍How does this recent release fit into that alarming context?

[Dr. Chen]: The release might signal a significant shift in power dynamics. With rebel forces gaining control, there is hope for some prisoners, but it​ also raises questions about the fate of those who remain imprisoned. The figures provided by the ADMSP are staggering, and they indicate a systematic⁢ effort to eliminate dissent. The international community must pay attention‌ to ‍these developments as they could impact future human rights policy in Syria.

[Editor]: Amnesty International had previously reported on secret mass executions in Saidnaya, with claims that around 13,000 people were hanged between 2011 and 2017. How credible ⁤are these reports when we consider the Syrian government’s dismissals?

[Dr. Chen]: The reports⁤ from reputable organizations like Amnesty International are based on comprehensive investigations and testimonies. While the Syrian government dismisses these claims as “baseless,” it’s crucial to consider the satellite imagery, eyewitness accounts, and‍ documents that back these findings. The government’s denial ⁤is consistent with its long history of suppressing dissent and manipulating information. The world needs⁤ to stand firm against such denial.

[Editor]: Speaking of global reactions, the White Helmets have initiated⁤ investigations into the conditions ⁤at Saidnaya prison. What ‌role do such organizations play in documenting and addressing human rights abuses?

[Dr. Chen]: Organizations like the White Helmets play a critical role. They are often the first responders in conflict zones and have dedicated teams investigating human rights abuses. ⁢Their ⁤efforts to document conditions and⁣ provide humanitarian aid cannot be underestimated. Their findings not only bring attention to these issues​ but can also influence international⁣ responses and accountability ‍measures.

[Editor]: Given the current unrest and evolving situation in⁣ Syria, what should be the international community’s immediate priorities regarding human rights?

[Dr. Chen]: The international community must prioritize the immediate protection of detainees and push for unfettered access to monitoring organizations within Syria. There should also be a concerted effort ⁤to⁣ collect evidence for potential war crime prosecutions. Emphasizing accountability measures for ‍perpetrators of human rights violations is crucial. Additionally, advocating for humanitarian ⁣assistance to those ⁢who have been released is necessary to help ‍them reintegrate into society.

[Editor]: Dr. Chen, thank you for sharing your insights on this somber yet⁢ crucial topic. The situation in Syria undoubtedly calls for urgent attention and action. we appreciate your expertise.

[Dr. Chen]: Thank you for having me. It’s vital we keep these conversations ⁢alive.

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