Justice for victims, families in Syrian detention centers a 'right and essential': UN special envoy for Syria

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) - Justice for the victims and their families in Syrian detention centers such as Sendaya is not only a right but also essential for healing and for preventing further violations, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said on Thursday.

He said in a statement that the images from Sednaya and other detention facilities "starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity" Syrians have endured and reported for years, Pedersen said.

"Despite extensive documentation and testimonies, they only scratch the surface of the carceral system's horrors. These images are a profound testament to unspeakable suffering, and pain beyond comprehension endured by those detained, their families, and their loved ones," said the UN envoy.

"Families of the detained, missing, and recently freed need our urgent support, including medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and safe shelter. Detention sites, mass graves, and related documentation must be secured to aid families in their search for justice and accountability," Pedersen added.

- Images from Sednaya Prison

Images and video footage from Sednaya Prison near Damascus on Dec. 11 unveiled the brutal treatment of detainees by the deposed Syrian regime.

A 2017 report by Amnesty International called Sednaya a "slaughterhouse," documenting abuse against detainees, including rape, torture, and executions.

"We must prioritize accounting for the missing, ensuring that families receive the clarity and recognition they desperately need," Pedersen also said.

"Evidence of atrocities must be preserved and thoroughly documented to ensure accountability under international humanitarian law. Justice for the victims and their families is not only a right but also essential for healing and for preventing further violations."

Pedersen called on all parties and relevant specialized organizations to prioritize the humanitarian needs of those recently freed and to the families still searching, to grant independent monitors unfettered access, and to adhere to international law obligations.

"Countless children, women, and men are still held arbitrarily in detention facilities under various authorities. They must be immediately released," he said.

The UN envoy also urged all parties to cooperate with UN specialized bodies, including the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism, and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, as well as all relevant international and national bodies addressing these issues.

"The world owes it to the Syrian people to listen, to act, and to work tirelessly toward a future where such horrors can never recur," said Pedersen.