UN human rights experts have called for an end to the arbitrary and indefinite detention of over 52,000 people in Syria, primarily concentrated in the northeast region. These detainees, mostly accused by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of being members of the Islamic State (ISIL), are being held without trial or due process. Alarmingly, 60% of those detained are children.
Since the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024, the SDF, which controls parts of northeastern Syria, has detained suspected ISIL affiliates. Despite the liberation of territory once under ISIL control, the region continues to be plagued by instability, including ongoing clashes between the SDF and the rival Syrian National Army (SNA). Both groups have since agreed to merge under the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The current wave of arbitrary detentions adds to the broader human rights crisis in Syria. Over 112,000 individuals are estimated to have been disappeared during the civil war, many of whom remain unaccounted for in detention camps. The majority of detainees are not only ISIL suspects but also include children, families, orphans, refugees, internally displaced persons, and victims of human trafficking. More than half of those detained are foreign nationals.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) and UN experts have urged Syria to seize the opportunity presented by the country’s political transition to resolve this crisis. They advocate for the safe reintegration of prisoners into society and call on other nations to repatriate their detained citizens. The experts stress the importance of addressing these violations to prevent further injustices.
Source: Maanya Chaturvedi, National Law University, Delhi, The Jurist
