A woman, Ghazala Ahmad al Hussein from al Kharnoubi village in the suburbs of Hasaka governorate, lives in al Qamshli city northeast of Hasaka governorate, was arrested by Syrian Democratic Forces’ personnel on May 30, 2022, in al Khaleej neighborhood in al Qamshli city after they assaulted and humiliated her. They took her to an undisclosed location.
SNHR received information confirming that Mrs. Ghazala suffers from physical and psychological issues. She is over sixty years old. We received several photos showing the brutal arrest incident without any concern for her privacy or health status.
SNHR notes that her family wasn’t informed of her arrest and fears that she might suffer torture and become forcibly disappeared, as has happened with 85% of detainees.
SNHR calls for financial and psychological restitution for all victims and their families, as well as for an end to all arbitrary detention and for the fate of thousands of individuals forcibly disappeared by Syrian Democratic Forces to be revealed. We note that these arrests are carried out with the objective of spreading fear and terror in the community and blackmailing the detainees’ families. We have additional, well-founded fears for the detainees’ wellbeing due to the spread of COVID-19.