Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 7, 2025 Human rights
Eleven months after the fall of the former Syrian regime, alarming reports of abductions and enforced disappearances continue to emerge from the country, Tamin Al-Khitan, a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said at a briefing in Geneva on Friday.
At the same time, according to the UN, more than 100 thousand people missing during Assad's reign.
"Since the fall Assad regime "Some families have been reunited with their loved ones, but many continue to live in uncertainty, not knowing the whereabouts of their relatives or what happened to them," the OHCHR representative noted. He emphasized that the fate of all missing persons—both before and after the fall of the previous government—must be clarified immediately, and expressed support for the work of Independent Institute for Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Al-Khitan cited the example of the disappearance of Syrian Civil Defense volunteer Hamza Al-Amarin, who went missing on July 16, 2025, during a humanitarian mission to evacuate people during the fighting. in the province of As-SuwaydaThe man's fate remains unknown.
Continued instability
The UN representative recalled that all armed groups – both state and non-state – have an obligation to respect and protect humanitarian workers in accordance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
“Accountability and justice for all human rights violations, past and present, are critical to building a lasting and peaceful future for all Syrians,” he stressed.
Answering journalists' questions, Al-Khitan stated that since the change of power in the country, the situation remains unstable, with various forces and groups vying for influence. He noted that people are afraid to contact the UN due to threats, making it difficult to determine the actual number of abducted and disappeared. Since January 2025, the Office has documented 97 cases of abductions, but many remain unreported for fear of reprisals. Some of the abductees were subsequently released, but no definitive information has been released.
Efforts of the Independent Institute
He added that work to establish the Independent Institute for Missing Persons in Syria began even before the change of power, and the mechanism was quickly put into action after the regime's fall. According to Al-Khitan, this is "difficult but vital work," requiring the full support of the international community and the cooperation of the Syrian authorities.
According to OHCHR, many of the abductions occurred during outbreaks of armed violence, For example, in coastal areas and the province of As-Suwayda, but new incidents continue to be reported.
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