The Association of Detainees and the Missing Persons in Seydnayah Prison (ADMSP)
Thursday, May 5, 2022
When the President of the Syrian regime declared a so-called “general amnesty for terrorist crimes” on April 30th through the Legislative Decree No. 7 of 2022, the hearts of countless Syrian families—those of the missing, abducted, and forcibly disappeared—swelled with anticipation. Hope surged for the possibility of reunion or at least, clarity on the fate of their loved ones. This emotion-charged climate was palpable in Damascus, Seydnayah, and Maarat Seydnayah, where thousands of families gathered daily. They anxiously awaited the sight of military vehicles that might bring their long-absent relatives, detained for years in regime prisons. Many of these individuals were left to fend for themselves, too weak to travel or return to homes that may have been razed by the regime, or families that may no longer be there—having either been killed or having fled. This marks yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of Syrian suffering that has stretched for over a decade. A sorrow without borders or end, it weighs heavily on the hearts of families who are left in the agonizing limbo of not knowing the fate of their hundreds of thousands of loved ones. These are individuals whose lives have been marked by abduction, imprisonment, forced disappearance, and then potentially by torture, execution, or opaque legal judgments. These are the festering wounds that mar the fabric of Syrian society. National justice seems an elusive dream as long as the principal instigator of these horrors continues to govern, having already displaced half of the Syrian population and continuing to exploit and oppress those who remain. Likewise, the international justice seems disinterested, if not impotent, in seriously addressing the fate of millions of Syrian victims or in holding accountable those guilty of some of the most heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity in recent history.
At the time this statement was prepared, Association of Detainees and the Missing Persons in Seydnayah Prison (ADMSP) has verified and recorded the names and details of 103 individuals released from Sednayah Prison, using direct and credible sources. It should be noted that the comprehensive documentation of all released detainees is a time-intensive process requiring rigorous verification, especially considering the delicate nature of this information and the need for utmost accuracy to safeguard the emotions and security of affected families. This number is subject to change as we continuously receive and confirm additional information. We encourage those interested and invested in this issue to stay updated through our website and social media channels, where we will be posting updates as they become available. The initial documentation by the Association reveals the following distribution of those released from Seydnayah Military Prison:
- Idlib Province: 6 detainees.
- Al-Hasakah Province: One detainee.
- Hama Province: Two detainees.
- Homs Province: 18 detainees.
- Deir Ezzor Province: Two detainees.
- Damascus Province: One detainee.
- Daraa Province: 34 detainees.
- Rural Damascus Province: 37 detainees.
- Latakia Province: One detainee.
- Quneitra Province: One detainee.
Association of Detainees and the Missing Persons in Seydnayah Prison (ADMSP)has initiated an urgent response initiative aimed at addressing questions from families, offering psychological support, and aiding in the search for missing or detained loved ones. We also provide expert advice and guidance to help families avoid scams and misinformation in these challenging times. We are available 24/7 for contact on these specified numbers.
- Family Center for psychological support services: 00905387240727
- Documentation team to get support and avoid fraud or inquire about a detainee 00905389367364
The members of ADMSP, along with their families, have personally endured the harsh realities of detention, torture, and disappearance within the Syrian regime’s prisons. They are uniquely positioned to understand the immense suffering these crimes inflict on the victims and their families. The Association strongly asserts that perpetrators have no right to absolve themselves, but that victims hold the moral, human, and legal authority to seek justice and retribution. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all those who have been released, as well as their families and loved ones. The Association remains committed to supporting everyone still waiting for the return of a missing family member—be it a brother, father, son, mother, daughter, or wife—and will continue to provide all forms of assistance until they are safely returned and their well-being restored.
