After months of deafening government silence, Zaman al-Wasl publishes video files documenting and revealing shocking details about the fate of hundreds of innocent children, sons and daughters of political detainees in Syria.
These documents, which we present today to the Syrian public in fulfillment of our commitment to truth and justice, reveal how these children were treated as spoils of war. They were kidnapped, forcibly separated from their families, their names and nicknames changed in an attempt to obscure their identities, and then placed in orphanages under the direct supervision and documented collusion of the intelligence services and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor under the former Assad regime.
Why now?
We have waited a long time, repeatedly demanding an official, transparent, and independent investigation to uncover the fate of these children and hold accountable those responsible for this complex crime. We demanded an investigation into the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs and its employees in receiving children from intelligence cellars and covering up their disappearance. But we have found nothing but disregard and complete silence, especially regarding the fate of Dr. Rania Al-Abbasi's children and her family, and the many other children whose fates remain unknown to this day.
In light of this reality, and in light of our professional and ethical responsibility, silence is no longer an option.
What do the documents reveal?
The files contain compelling evidence, including:
- Lists of the children's names: those officially received by Social Affairs employees from various security branches.
- Records of receipt and orders to conceal the children's identities, including reports of surgical operations performed on some children.
- Names and signatures of employees involved: Documents bearing the names and signatures of officials and employees in the ministry and orphanages who participated in this operation.
A call for a "community investigation"
The magnitude and complexity of the tragedy require concerted efforts to uncover the full truth. Therefore, Zaman al-Wasl, with the publication of these documents, calls on all Syrians, both at home and abroad, to:
- Thoroughly scrutinize the published documents.
- Actively contribute to the "Community Inquiry" by providing us with any additional information or leads that might help identify the children or uncover other details.
- Raise your voice to demand justice for these children and their families.
Is this a case that should be silenced? Children, some of whom were only a month old when they were taken from their mothers' arms, for no crime other than being the son or daughter of a prisoner of conscience.
By Hussein Shishakli
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