On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arbitrarily arrested civilians Aziz al-Jadaan al-Sajja’ and Basil Muhammad al-Hasan al-Kate’, both residents of the town of al-Karamah in the eastern countryside of Raqqa Governorate. The arrests were made after a raid on their homes in the town, which is under SDF control. At the time of writing, the location to which they were taken remains unknown, and the reasons for their arrest remain unclear.
The sources confirmed that the arrests were carried out without a warrant or court order, and without informing any of their relatives of their whereabouts. Their phones were confiscated, preventing them from communicating with their families. The Syrian Network for Human Rights fears that they may be subjected to torture and may be classified as forcibly disappeared.
Legal Conclusions:
- This arrest, without a formal warrant, clear charges, or a court-appointed person, 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.
- Taking detainees to an unknown location and preventing them from communicating with their families or lawyers constitutes enforced disappearance, which is prohibited under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which affirms the right to know the whereabouts of detainees and to protect them from ill-treatment.
- Confiscating detainees’ phones without a warrant is a violation of the right to private property and constitutes an arbitrary practice that contravenes fundamental safeguards governing criminal procedure.
- Carrying out the arrest in a degrading manner falls within the framework of torture, which is prohibited at all times.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ recommendations:
- The immediate and unconditional release of those detained in this incident, or their referral to a civilian court that meets the conditions for a fair trial, if there are genuine legal charges against them.
- Open a transparent and independent investigation into the conditions of their detention, particularly into allegations of degrading treatment, and hold those responsible for violations accountable.
- Enabling them to communicate with their families and lawyers representing them, and ensuring their physical and psychological safety during their detention, in accordance with international standards.
