On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Mohamad Abdul Latif Ismail, a media worker from the village of al-Zafarana al-Gharbiya in the western suburbs of Homs Governorate, was killed by unknown gunmen in the village. The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown at the time of this writing. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights documentation through reliable local sources, Mohamad was shot while he was near his home on the road to the Sheen region of the village and died as a result of the gunshot wounds. SNHR is still collecting eyewitness testimonies to verify the circumstances of the incident and fully document it.
It’s worth noting that Mohamad Ismail previously worked as a broadcaster for Zenobia FM and a correspondent for Damascus Radio, but he had recently been out of work.
Legal Conclusions
- The killing of Mohamed Ismail by direct gunfire by unknown gunmen, without any legal justification or engagement, constitutes an extrajudicial killing and constitutes a grave violation of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stipulates that the right to life is inherent in every human being and that no one may be arbitrarily deprived of it.
- The indiscriminate shooting by an armed group not subject to official control, in a civilian area on a vital road, is an indication of the state’s inability to fulfill its obligations to protect the civilian population, which is in violation of the principle of the “duty to protect” binding on de facto authorities under international law.
- The fact that the armed men are unidentified does not detract from the transitional government’s responsibility to maintain security. Rather, the failure to contain civil conflicts or the behavior of local armed groups constitutes a direct failure to enforce the rule of law.
- If perpetrators are not identified and prosecuted, this reinforces the pattern of impunity, undermines civilian confidence in justice, and creates a dangerous environment for the recurrence of these crimes.
Recommendations by SNHR
- Launch an urgent, impartial, and transparent investigation, under the supervision of independent judicial authorities, to uncover the circumstances of the crime and identify the perpetrators, while ensuring witness protection and documenting evidence.
- Hold the transitional government fully responsible for protecting public areas, including deploying security checkpoints, activating surveillance equipment, and tightening control over unofficial armed groups.
- Criminally prosecute all those involved, including any parties or local groups involved in the shooting, and bring them to public and fair trials that guarantee the rights of victims and their families.
- Provide material and moral compensation to the victim’s family, as part of reparations in accordance with international standards.
- Launch a local awareness campaign on respect for the rule of law and the rejection of random weapons, with the participation of local community leaders, to combat irregular armament and tribal violence.
