On 20 November 2014, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians sent two communications to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) concerning the cases of a 32 year-old Syrian citizen from Latakia, AbdulLatif Sabbagh, disappeared since his arrest over two years ago, and of 33 year-old activist from Damascus, Abdel Qader Ali Deib, also disappeared since his arrest in January 2014. Both are known for their peaceful political activism during the Syrian revolution, and to this day, none of their families are aware of their fates and whereabouts.
On 1 August 2012, Abdullatif was arrested at a military checkpoint in the Jabal Al Zaweya area, in the Idlib province, by members of the Syrian Army who did not show any warrant nor explained the rationale for his arrest. His family fears that his peaceful and political activism is the reason of his arrest and disappearance, a widespread practice used in Syria to silence dissent.
On 9 January 2014, whilst driving from Ghouta (east of Damascus), Abdel Qader was arrested by the Air Intelligence forces at the Harsta checkpoint. The men, in civilian clothes, stopped his car before arresting him without providing any warrant. His relatives have not heard from him since that day.
Concerned about their disappearances, both families appointed a lawyer who contacted many public authorities in Damascus, including the General Intelligence Administration at the Khateeb Branch, without success.
In light of this information, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians sent a communication to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) to call upon the Syrian authorities to investigate and reveal AbdulLatif and Abdel Qader's whereabouts and to allow their families to visit them without restriction. Alkarama is also particularly concerned about the victims' high risk of torture during their secret detention, another practice commonly used against political activists, as denounced by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The systematic practice of enforced disappearance has to be stopped and the Syrian authorities need to ensure all appropriate measures to abolish it.
For more information or an interview, please contact the media team at media@alkarama.org (Dir: +41 22 734 1007 Ext: 810)