As part of Zaman al-Wasl’s initiative to uncover the fate of disappeared detainees, records issued by the Air Force Investigation Branch revealed the names of a number of detainees who died inside detention centers during the years 2011-2013.

These documents add to the growing evidence of arbitrary detention practices and ill-treatment, which resulted in the death of many detainees under torture or in inhumane conditions.

Victims behind the walls

According to data obtained by Zaman al-Wasl, all the names included in the records are of people who were arrested in various contexts and then died while being detained in the Air Force Investigation Branch at Mezzeh Airport.

Human rights sources confirmed that these names may be just part of a larger list, as there are still thousands of undocumented cases of missing and forcibly disappeared persons.

Deaths between 2011 and 2013: A recurring pattern of killing

The records show that most of the deaths occurred during the height of the Syrian revolution, a period that witnessed an escalation in arrest and repression campaigns. Legal experts have indicated that this information could be additional evidence of crimes against humanity, and could be used in any future investigations into violations inside prisons and detention centers.

Responsibility and Accountability

With the increasing evidence and leaks, demands are increasing for an independent investigation into the conditions of detention of these victims and the causes of their deaths. International human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have previously documented similar cases, indicating that prisoners in some Syrian detention centers were subjected to severe torture, medical neglect, and inhumane treatment, which led to their deaths.

What next?

Revealing these names remains an important step in documenting crimes of torture and violations, but it does not return the victims to their families. However, continued human rights and international pressure may contribute to achieving future legal accountability for those responsible for these crimes, and opening accountability files before international courts.

The most important question remains: How many other detainees are still being held anonymous?

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