Red Cross Urges Families of Missing Syrians Not to Dig Graves
Red Cross Urges Families of Missing Syrians to Avoid Self-Excavation
Geneva, Switzerland – The international Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a plea to families of missing persons in syria, urging them to refrain from independently searching for or excavating graves. The organization emphasized that such actions could hinder the crucial process of identifying remains.
“The file on missing persons is central not only today, but also for the future,” stated Christian Cardon, ICRC spokesperson. “When these steps are done properly, they will allow the creation of a peaceful climate that will pave the way for peace talks and reconciliation.”
The Syrian conflict, which erupted in 2011, has resulted in the disappearance of over 100,000 individuals, primarily at the hands of government forces. Recent events, including the fall of Saidnaya prison to opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-sham, have intensified the anguish of families desperate for answers about their loved ones.
Disturbing images circulating on social media depict distraught men,some visibly injured,emerging from Saidnaya prison,a facility Amnesty International has labeled a “human slaughterhouse.”
Cardon, a former ICRC official responsible for protection operations, stressed the importance of respecting burial sites and allowing forensic experts to conduct their work. ”While families feel an overwhelming desire to go to places they could not reach during the war years and take a personal initiative,” he acknowledged, “it is indeed crucial to rely on forensic medicine to be able to identify people.”
The ICRC has been actively advocating for the protection of records containing the names of thousands of prisoners and perhaps deceased individuals. “There is an urgent need today to preserve this vital information in administrative offices, prisons, and places of detention across the country,” Cardon emphasized.
The organization is engaging wiht influential groups in Syria, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, to ensure the safety of these vital records.
On Tuesday, an ICRC team visited Saidnaya prison and reported finding prisoner documents “damaged and scattered” throughout several rooms.
With the release of thousands of prisoners, the ICRC, which employs approximately 500 people in Syria, is working tirelessly to reunite families using data collected over years of operation.
Two hotline numbers have been established for prisoners and their relatives worldwide,and ICRC teams are actively engaging with detainees and families near detention centers to facilitate reunifications.
“It will be a complex process that will take time as these people have suffered meaningful trauma,” Cardon explained.
While the ICRC has been granted access to some “civilian prisons” during the Syrian conflict, confidentiality prevents the organization from disclosing specific details about these visits.
Cardon highlighted that these visits aimed “to verify the detention conditions and treatment of detainees and in certain specific cases to provide assistance, with hygiene equipment or supplies needed for the winter.”
Families Desperate for Answers Amidst Syria’s Missing Persons Crisis
Geneva, Switzerland – The Syrian conflict, raging since 2011, has left a devastating trail of unanswered questions. Over 100,000 individuals, mainly at the hands of government forces, vanished amidst the chaos. Recent events, including the liberation of Saidnaya prison by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have amplified the anguish of families desperate for news of their loved ones.
Distressing images circulating online depict wounded men emerging from Saidnaya prison,a facility labeled a “human slaughterhouse” by Amnesty International. Thes images offer a glimpse into the horrific reality faced by detainees, intensifying the urgency for answers.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), deeply involved in Syria for many years, has implored families of missing persons against independently searching for or excavating graves. Christian Cardon, former ICRC official responsible for protection operations, stressed the importance of respecting burial sites and allowing forensic experts to conduct their work.
“While families feel an overwhelming desire to go to places they could not reach during the war years and take a personal initiative,” Cardon acknowledged,”it is indeed crucial to rely on forensic medicine to be able to identify peopel.”
The ICRC advocates for the protection of crucial records containing the names of thousands of prisoners and perhaps deceased individuals. “There is an urgent need today to preserve this vital data in administrative offices, prisons, and places of detention across the country,” Cardon emphasized.
The organization is actively engaging with influential groups in Syria,including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,to ensure the safety of these vital records.
With the release of thousands of prisoners, the ICRC, which employs approximately 500 people in Syria, is working tirelessly to reunite families utilizing data collected over years of operation. Two hotline numbers have been established globally for prisoners and their relatives,and ICRC teams are actively facilitating reunifications near detention centers.
“It will be a complex process that will take time as these people have suffered meaningful trauma,” Cardon explained.
Though the ICRC has been granted access to some “civilian prisons” during the conflict, confidentiality prevents disclosing details about these visits. However, Cardon highlighted that these visits aimed ”to verify the detention conditions and treatment of detainees and in certain specific cases to provide assistance, with hygiene equipment or supplies needed for the winter.”