The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said that it had recorded no fewer than 1,882 arbitrary arrests in Syria in 2020, stressing that Syria is not safe for the return of refugees or displaced persons, especially to the regime-held areas.
In a report issued on Sunday, the Network said that the arrests targeted at least 52 children and 39 women, adding that the fate and whereabouts of the majority of detainees is still unknown.
The report indicated that the Assad regime carried out 908 arrets, including against 13 children and 23 women, while the PYD militia was responsible for 481 arrests, including against 32 children and a woman. Militant groups carried out 347 arrests, including against six children and 11 women, while Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham was responsible for 146 arrests, including against a child and four women.
According to the report, at least 149 arbitrary arrests took place in December, including against nine children and two women. The Network said that the majority of these arrests were carried out by the Assad regime and the PYD militia.
The report indicated that the Assad regime detained citizens for criticizing the deteriorating living and economic conditions in the regime-controlled areas.
The Network called on the UN Security Council to follow up the implementation of resolutions 2042, 2043 (2012), and 2139 (2014) calling for an end to enforced disappearances.
The Network also called on all parties to the conflict to immediately stop arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances; disclose the fate of all detainees and forcibly disappeared persons; and unconditionally release all detainees who were detained for exercising their political and civil rights. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
