On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Raman Abdul Salam Hasso, a journalist and program producer for Kurdistan 24 TV, and a native of the town of Amuda in the northern countryside of Hasaka Governorate, was arbitrarily arrested by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ internal security forces in the town of Amuda, which is under their control.
According to information we obtained from reliable local sources, Raman Hasso was detained for several hours on June 30, 2025, at the Peshkhabur/Semalka border crossing, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, while returning to Syria. He was verbally informed that he would report to the Internal Security Service in the town of Amuda before being allowed to cross.
The next day, Internal Security Forces (ISF) arrested journalist Raman Hasso when he reported to an ISF station in the town of Amuda. Sources confirmed that he was taken to a detention center in the city of Qamishli in the Hasaka countryside.
SNHR notes that his phone was confiscated, preventing him from communicating with his family. We fear he may be subjected to torture and forcibly disappeared.
Legal Conclusions
- The arrest of journalist Raman Hasso without an official warrant, without clear charges or bringing him before a competent judicial authority constitutes a violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention and requires that detainees be informed of the reasons for their arrest and be able to challenge it before a court.
- The confiscation of his phone and media equipment without a legal order violates the right to private property and constitutes an arbitrary practice that contravenes fundamental guarantees governing criminal proceedings.
- The arrest was carried out in a degrading manner, and falls within the framework of torture, which is prohibited at all times.
Recommendations by SNHR
- Immediately and unconditionally release journalist Raman Hasso, or bring him before a civilian court that meets the conditions for a fair trial, if there are genuine legal charges against him.
- Open a transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances of his detention, particularly into allegations of degrading treatment, and hold those responsible for violations accountable.
- Enable him to communicate with his family and a lawyer to represent him, and ensure his physical and psychological safety during his detention, in accordance with international standards.
- Cease all practices that restrict freedom of media work, and respect freedom of expression, as stipulated in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
