The Search for Justice: Family’s Fight Against Enforced Disappearance in Syria
Obeida Dabbagh has publicly shared the anguish experienced by his family due to the enforced disappearance and subsequent murder of his brother Mazen and nephew Patrick by the Assad regime. His fight for justice reveals the systemic human rights abuses during the Syrian civil war and highlights the necessity for accountability on an international level. Legal actions in France have recently led to the indictment and sentencing of Syrian regime officials for their roles in these crimes.
A relative of two Syrian nationals, Obeida Dabbagh, has described his anguish over the enforced disappearance of his brother Mazen and his nephew Patrick, who were tortured and murdered by the Assad regime during the civil war. Both individuals, who held Syrian-French nationality, were arrested by Air Force Intelligence in November 2013, and they were falsely declared dead in 2018 after years of torture and abuse, according to Mr. Dabbagh’s statement to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances.
Mr. Dabbagh emphasized that neither his uncle nor his nephew participated in the protests against President Bashar al-Assad, which led to a violent crackdown by the regime involving mass arrests and torture of peaceful demonstrators. He noted, “The Syrian regime, in addition to torture and executions, extorted money from our family,” falsely promising information or release in exchange for large sums before expelling family members from their home in Damascus.
He indicated that his struggle for justice extends beyond his family, stating, “This fight goes beyond my family; it is part of a universal quest for justice and against impunity for war crimes.” He aims not only to seek justice for Mazen and Patrick but also to contribute to the broader global effort against the atrocities committed by the Syrian government.
Prior to their arrests, Mazen was involved in teaching support at a French college, while Patrick was studying psychology at Damascus University. In their desperate search for justice, the family sought assistance from various authorities, including the Syrian, French, and international entities.
In 2016, the Dabbagh family, in collaboration with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), filed a complaint with the Paris Prosecutor’s office, which facilitated an investigation into crimes against humanity. This investigation culminated in March 2023, leading to an indictment order for three senior Syrian officials for their roles in these heinous crimes.
In May 2023, following a trial in absentia, key figures from the Assad regime received life sentences due to their involvement in crimes against humanity, encompassing imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearance, and murder. The referenced legal proceedings emphasize the role of international justice and the importance of accountability in the face of egregious human rights violations.
The Committee on Enforced Disappearances oversees compliance with the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006. Countries that ratify this convention are mandated to enforce provisions against enforced disappearance, including the prohibition of secret detention and criminalization of the act.
Independent expert Fidelis Kanyongolo stressed the necessity of extra-territorial jurisdiction in addressing human rights abuses, especially since Syria has not ratified key international statutes that would enable thorough judicial processes. He noted the absence of UN Security Council resolutions enforcing accountability measures against human rights abuses in Syria.
In conclusion, the testimony of Obeida Dabbagh reflects the pain and suffering endured by families of those who have disappeared in Syria. His pursuit of justice for his relatives underscores a broader movement against impunity for human rights violations committed during the Syrian civil war. The application of international legal frameworks and the call for accountability remain crucial for the ongoing quest for justice in Syria.
Original Source: news.un.org
