A delegation from the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison conducted a site visit yesterday to the location of a mass grave in al-Qatifah, Damascus countryside. This visit is part of the Association’s ongoing efforts to ascertain the fate of individuals who were forcibly disappeared or went missing during the Syrian conflict.
During their visit, the delegation met with local residents who corroborated previous reports that the former Syrian regime, with support from Russian forces, had bulldozed the mass grave between 2018 and 2020. This disturbing action raises serious concerns regarding the status and potential desecration of the remains of thousands of victims believed to be buried there. The site has reportedly been converted into a military radar base.
The Association emphasizes that figures circulating in the media alleging 100,000 victims buried at the al-Qatifah site are unverified. In the absence of an independent and transparent investigation, the exact number remains unknown. The Association believes the bulldozing of the site constitutes a deliberate attempt to conceal evidence of war crimes and egregious human rights violations perpetrated by the former regime.
The Association urgently calls upon the international community and relevant authorities to:
Secure and protect all mass grave sites from further disturbance or destruction.
Initiate an independent international investigation into these sites, in collaboration with local organizations and families of the victims, to establish the truth and ensure accountability.
Reveal the fate of all missing and forcibly disappeared persons in Syria.
Hold all perpetrators accountable for these crimes and ensure they do not enjoy impunity.
Furthermore, the Association appeals to Syrian citizens and media outlets to refrain from approaching or disturbing the al-Qatifah site, or any other mass grave locations, until specialized international forensic teams can secure and properly investigate these sites. This is crucial to preserve any remaining evidence and to facilitate the eventual identification and return of remains to the families of the missing.
The Association previously published a report on January 30, 2024, based on the analysis of satellite imagery, detailing the destruction of the al-Qatifah mass grave. This site is located in close proximity to the former headquarters of the Syrian regime’s Third Division.
Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison
Damascus, Syria – December 19, 2024
