Geneva, 6 December 2024 – The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) today released a detailed report analysing the widespread and systematic commission of torture, ill treatment and related violations across more than 100 Government detention facilities in Syria. This includes analysis of inhumane detention conditions, sexual violence and enforced disappearances.
Titled “The Syrian Government Detention System as a Tool of Violent Repression”, the report draws on over 300 witness interviews, medical forensic evidence and the Syrian Government’s own documentation. Focusing on factual patterns and their systematic nature, consistent accounts of abuse emerge from the accounts of victims and survivors detained in Government facilities across Syria.
Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, emphasized the significance of the report:
“Our report lays bare the harrowing reality within the Syrian Government detention system. The interview records of former detainees, corroborated by forensic medical evidence and an extensive body of other evidence, reveal the severity of the mental and physical harm that was intentionally inflicted.” On releasing this analysis, Mr. Petit said, “We are making the Detention Report public and widely available, to contribute to ongoing justice and accountability efforts, not only for past abuses but also those that continue to this day.”
Patterns in the Body of Evidence
Former detainees described severe physical and psychological abuse, including beatings, stress positions, and sexual violence. They reported horrific conditions, lack of hygiene, insufficient food and water, overcrowding, and denial of medical care. Many witnessed other detainees being tortured and killed.
The report includes descriptions of Syrian Government structures involved in the infliction of harms, including Government leadership and coordinating entities, intelligence branches, military hospitals and military police.
Impact on Families
The Detention Report also sheds light on the devastating impact on the families of disappeared detainees. The anguish and distress have caused long-term consequences for whole communities.
“Thousands of families bear the psychological toll of not knowing where their loved ones are,” Mr. Petit said. Speaking of the role of the Government, he added “This is unimaginable psychological torture, yet the Syrian Government continues to intentionally withhold and cover-up information that could address the agonising uncertainty.”
In accordance with witness protection considerations and consent limitations, the Detention Report has been released in redacted format. It is accompanied by supporting resources including an interactive map of approximately 100 detention facilities identified by witnesses, and an FAQ.
To view the report and other resources please go to the IIIM’s website https://iiim.un.org/
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
About the IIIM
The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) is a United Nations organisation, established in 2016 by the UN General Assembly in a landmark vote. It is mandated to assist in the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for committing the most serious international crimes (including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide) in Syria since March 2011.
The IIIM works to collect and preserve evidence from multiple sources to support current and potential future accountability proceedings. A significant number of its sources and information providers are Syrian civil society actors. The Detention Report relies on information and evidence from the IIIM’s Structural Investigation and includes evidence from multiple sources, including Syrian Government documents, CSO evidence collections, CSO reports, the IIIM’s witness interviews and direct evidence collection, the Caesar Files, medical forensic reports, national court proceedings, and reports of UN bodies and their communications with the Syrian Government.
The IIIM’s work can be used by jurisdictions with the legal authority to prosecute international crimes, thereby supporting accountability for atrocities committed during the Syrian conflict.
It shares information, evidence and analytical products either in response to requests for assistance or proactively with competent jurisdictions.
It integrates a victim survivor centred approach and proactive strategies on gender and children/youth throughout its work, holding regular consultations and engagements with Syrian civil society and victim/survivor communities.
It is not a court or tribunal; it cannot issue indictments or conduct trials and does not have prosecutorial powers.
The IIIM is:
- Independent: Works without external instructions or influences. It does not share details of the justice processes it supports publicly except as authorised by competent jurisdictions.
- Impartial: Works to cover all international crimes committed by all parties in the conflict, no matter the affiliation, without bias.
- Rigorous: Applies international criminal law methodologies throughout all tracks of its work.
Since the start of its operations the IIIM has maintained its efforts to initiate cooperation from the Syrian Arab Republic, in line with its commitment to impartial and inclusive justice. Although it has not yet received any response, it will continue to reach out to all States who may hold information and evidence relevant to its mandate.
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