Syrian protesters call for justice for missing activists
Justice for Missing Syrian Activists: Dozens of protesters gathered in the Syrian city of Douma on Wednesday (January 1) to demand an explanation for the disappearance of four prominent activists who were kidnapped more than a decade ago.
Demonstrators called on Syria’s new rulers—the Islamist rebels who seized power last month—to investigate their whereabouts.
The missing activists are Razan Zaitouneh, her husband Wael Hamadeh, Samira Khalil, and Nazem Hammadi. The four activists were
kidnapped on December 9, 2013, when unidentified gunmen attacked the Violations Documentation Center in Douma, northeast of Damascus. Douma was controlled by rebels at the time.
Since their abduction, there has been no sign that they are still alive and no evidence of death.
Zatouneh was one of Syria’s most prominent human rights activists, documenting abuses by then-President Bashar al-Assad’s government and anti-government armed groups.
Her work has earned her international recognition, including the International Woman of Courage Award in 2013 from then-U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.
During Wednesday’s protest, demonstrators held up photos of the missing activists.
“We are here because we want to know the full truth about the two ladies and two men who disappeared here for 11 years and 22 days,” said activist Yassin Al-Haj Saleh, whose wife Khalil was among those abducted.
“We are gathered here to make their case remembered by the world,” he added. “This is the first time we have the opportunity to come to Douma, to stand where they were abducted, and to use the political changes that have taken place in the country to make our voices heard about this case.”
Protests have erupted across Syria since Assad’s government was overthrown last month, demanding information about the thousands of people who have been forcibly disappeared under Assad’s rule.
Syria’s transitional government, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which toppled Assad, has remained neutral on accusations that armed groups have forced activists to disappear. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has also allied with activists seeking truth and justice.
“We are here because we want the truth. The truth about their fate and justice for them so that we can heal our wounds,” said Alaa al-Merhi, Khalil’s niece.
No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but some indications are pointing to the Army of Islam, then the most powerful anti-government group in Douma. The group has long denied involvement.
Before her disappearance, Zatouneh had received threats from both the government and the rebels. Her friends and activists say some of those threats can be traced back to the Army of Islam.
Protesters held banners Wednesday accusing the Army of Islam of carrying out the kidnapping.
“We have enough evidence to accuse the Army of Islam, and we have the names of suspects, and we want them to be investigated,” said Hajj Saleh.
He said he hoped “the perpetrators will be tried by the Syrian courts.”
The Army of Islam remains an armed faction backed by Turkey. It was excluded from the Syrian leadership, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
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