Published : 04-08-2019
Two years ago, the Syrian government executed the Palestinian web developer and cyber activist Bassel Khartabil AlSafadi.
The execution of Bassel Khartabil was carried out days after he was moved to the Adra prison on October 3, 2015.
Bassel was kidnapped by the Syrian intelligence forces on March 15, 2012 and detained for eight months before he was transferred to the Adra prison in Damascus in December 2012. Basel had been subjected to harsh torture in the Adra lock-up.
The computer engineer is credited with vastly extending online access and knowledge and was a regular contributor to Wikipedia, Mozilla Firefox, and Open Clip Art, among other international encyclopedias, web browsers, and corporations.
According to data by AGPS, 1,759 Palestinian refugees, among them children, women and elderly refugees, have been enduring unknown fates in Syrian government lock-ups. Toddlers clinging to their mothers’ arms have also been spotted in Syrian jails.
According to affidavits by ex-detainees, Palestinian refugees have been subjected to harsh psycho-physical torture tactics in Syrian penitentiaries, including electric shocks, heavy beating using iron sticks, and sexual abuse. Over 600 refugees died under torture.
Field reporters believe the real number to be far higher due to the government’s reticence to reveal the names and fates of Palestinian detainees’ and the families’ fears to disclose their relatives’ names over retaliation concerns.
The list of victims includes activists, volunteers, medics, engineers, academics, journalists, university students, and artists.
AGPS believes that such practices represent flagrant violations of international law which criminalizes all forms of torture and mistreatment against women and children.
AGPS continues to urge the Syrian authorities to disclose the condition and whereabouts of Palestinian refugees held in its penitentiaries.
Two years ago, the Syrian government executed the Palestinian web developer and cyber activist Bassel Khartabil AlSafadi.
The execution of Bassel Khartabil was carried out days after he was moved to the Adra prison on October 3, 2015.
Bassel was kidnapped by the Syrian intelligence forces on March 15, 2012 and detained for eight months before he was transferred to the Adra prison in Damascus in December 2012. Basel had been subjected to harsh torture in the Adra lock-up.
The computer engineer is credited with vastly extending online access and knowledge and was a regular contributor to Wikipedia, Mozilla Firefox, and Open Clip Art, among other international encyclopedias, web browsers, and corporations.
According to data by AGPS, 1,759 Palestinian refugees, among them children, women and elderly refugees, have been enduring unknown fates in Syrian government lock-ups. Toddlers clinging to their mothers’ arms have also been spotted in Syrian jails.
According to affidavits by ex-detainees, Palestinian refugees have been subjected to harsh psycho-physical torture tactics in Syrian penitentiaries, including electric shocks, heavy beating using iron sticks, and sexual abuse. Over 600 refugees died under torture.
Field reporters believe the real number to be far higher due to the government’s reticence to reveal the names and fates of Palestinian detainees’ and the families’ fears to disclose their relatives’ names over retaliation concerns.
The list of victims includes activists, volunteers, medics, engineers, academics, journalists, university students, and artists.
AGPS believes that such practices represent flagrant violations of international law which criminalizes all forms of torture and mistreatment against women and children.
AGPS continues to urge the Syrian authorities to disclose the condition and whereabouts of Palestinian refugees held in its penitentiaries.
