Brussels – Amnesty International issued a warning on Thursday about the deteriorating humanitarian and medical conditions facing survivors of detention in prisons once run by Syria’s ousted regime, particularly the notorious Saydnaya prison.
In a statement published on its official website, the organization said these survivors are living in dire conditions, with minimal access to medical or psychological care. The collapse of Syria’s healthcare system and dwindling international funding have further exacerbated their situation.
Amnesty urged the Syrian government to uphold the rights of survivors, including truth, justice, and comprehensive reparations such as rehabilitation and psychosocial support. It emphasized the need for these rights to be central to any transitional justice process.
The organization also called on international donors to increase support for survivor-led initiatives, local civil society groups, and torture victim assistance programs. Amnesty warned that decreasing aid risks deepening survivors’ suffering and undermining reintegration efforts.
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While Syria’s current government has pledged constitutional reforms banning torture and vowed not to use notorious detention facilities, Amnesty noted that these measures remain largely unimplemented due to lack of resources and political will.
The statement emphasized the need for justice for all victims, including those harmed by armed groups, and urged the adoption of trauma-informed, dignity-centered approaches in survivor support.
Amnesty called on Syrian authorities to take concrete steps to prosecute those responsible for crimes and to work with international actors to provide full-scale support for victims, ensuring such abuses are never repeated.
Separately, on June 19, Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa met with the head of the National Authority for the Missing, Mohammad Reza Jalkhi, to discuss forming an advisory team and developing a comprehensive national database for missing persons.
According to Syria’s state news agency (SANA), the two reviewed plans to document cases, provide legal and moral support to families, and promote transparency and public trust in the state’s handling of this humanitarian issue.
