International Commission of Inquiry: The Assad regime created a “net of torture” in its prisons that constitute crimes against humanity

This was stated in the committee’s report, which was issued today, Monday, entitled: “The Torment Network: Arbitrary Detention, Torture and Ill-Treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic” – which is based on more than 2,000 witness statements, including more than 550 interviews with torture survivors.

The report reveals horrific details about the patterns of torture and cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment inflicted on detained men, women and children by former state forces, including “Severe beatings, electrocution, burning, pulling nails, damaging teeth, rape, sexual violence including mutilation, prolonged debilitating positions, willful neglect, denial of medical care, aggravation of wounds, and psychological torture.”

The report comes after the committee visited mass graves and former state detention centers in the Damascus area – including Saydnaya Military Prison, Military Intelligence Branch 235 (Palestine) and Air Force Intelligence branches in Mezzeh and Harasta – after years of being denied access by the previous Syrian authorities.

The committee confirmed that what it saw there matched the descriptions provided by hundreds of survivors and defectors to the committee over the past fourteen years, stressing that the small, windowless isolation cells in the basements “They are still full of foul odors and reveal suffering unimaginable when the commission began its first investigations into the sites.”

The committee said that overthrowing the previous government and releasing prisoners from its torture chambers was unthinkable just two months ago. In this context, Committee Chairman Paulo Pinheiro said: “We stand at a critical juncture. The transitional government and future Syrian authorities can now ensure that these crimes will never be repeated. We hope that our findings after nearly 14 years of investigation will help end impunity for these types of violations.”

But the committee stressed that the suffering of tens of thousands of families who have not found their missing relatives among the released prisoners continues, stressing that the discovery of additional mass graves has led many families to conclude the worst. In its report, it highlighted the urgent need to take decisive action to protect evidence, archives and crime sites, including mass graves, until experts can examine them and conduct exhumations to carry out forensic examinations when needed.

Committee member Lynn Welchman said: “For Syrians who have not found loved ones among those released, this evidence, along with the testimonies of released detainees, may be the hope of uncovering the truth about their missing relatives. We commend the new authorities for their commitment to protecting mass graves and evidence, and encourage further efforts, With the support of Syrian civil society and relevant international actors.”

The committee said it plans to conduct in-depth investigations in the coming months after the new caretaker government allowed it to enter the country for the first time since 2011. “Having unprecedented access to sites and survivors who no longer fear retaliation for coming forward with their testimonies.”

For his part, committee member Hani Magali said he hopes to see “Credible national justice initiatives in which survivors and families can play a pivotal role,” He stressed the Committee’s readiness to assist alongside human rights associations, Syrian families, and international partners.