Amnesty International has launched an online campaign calling on the Assad regime to release dentist Rania Al-Abbasi and her six children. Rania Al-Abbasi and her family were arrested by regime agents in 2013 in Syria. No reason was given as to why they were arrested, and no information was provided by the regime as to their whereabouts, despite several attempts by Rania’s relatives to get such information.
Rania’s sister, Naila, commented on her arrest: “Rania didn’t belong to any opposition party or go to any demonstrations. She was always there to help others.”
The Assad regime has so long ignored a 2014 UN resolution calling for an end to enforced disappearances.
Rania was a successful dentist in Damascus, Syria, and a busy mother of six: Dima, Entisar, Najah, Alaa, Ahmad and Layan; all aged between 3 and 15. On March 9, 2013, regime agents stormed into her house and took away her husband. Two days later, they came for her and her children. None of them has been heard of since.
Amnesty called on the Assad regime to release Rania’s six children unconditionally; reveal the fate and whereabouts of Rania and her children; and grant them access to their family and lawyer. Amnesty demanded the regime must ensure that Rania and her children are protected from any torture and other ill-treatment and that they received any medical attention they may require. Amnesty also called for giving independent monitors unrestricted access to all people deprived of their liberty across Syria. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
