Yarmouk Camp – Action Group
Complaints continue regarding housing practices in Yarmouk camp. The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria documented the partial demolition of a resident’s home, an incident the homeowner described as having occurred without prior warning or adherence to legal procedures.
Speaking to the Action Group, activist Jamal Khalil recounted the details of the incident: “I returned home with my wife after a day at work, only to find the door broken and the interior clearly damaged… No one contacted us, and we were not informed of any procedures.”
Contents
1 Property Damage
1.1 I am under the rule of law
1.1.1 Request to open an investigation
*Property damage*
Khalil explained that the incident was not limited to removing the door, but also included the complete demolition of the roof parapet, a protective wall intended to safeguard the house. He added,
“I was shocked when a patrol from the governorate, supported by police officers, demolished the parapet and dumped the rubble inside my house, causing significant property damage.
” He pointed out that these actions were carried out while he was away from home, without any official notification or prior warning, which he considered a violation of legal procedures that require notification or warning before any such action is taken.
*I am under the rule of law*
He added, “I am operating within the bounds of the law, but within the proper procedures… What happened disregarded all these regulations.
My house was vandalized, and rubble was dumped haphazardly on top of my belongings.
” Khalil explained that removing the roof parapet opened the house to neighboring buildings, making it vulnerable to theft, especially given the lack of any security. This forced him, he said, to temporarily leave the house as it was uninhabitable.
He also pointed out that the demolished parapet was within the permitted limits according to the regulations and was intended to protect the house, particularly since there were bird breeders in the neighboring buildings.
*Call for an investigation*
Khalil concluded his remarks to the working group by appealing to the relevant authorities in Damascus Governorate, calling for an investigation into the incident, holding those responsible accountable, and compensating him for the damages he suffered. He stated, “I am placing my case before the competent authorities in the hope of receiving justice and having my rights upheld… I ask for nothing more than justice and the application of the law as it stands.
” This incident highlights the challenges faced by residents of Yarmouk Camp regarding housing, particularly given the lack of clarity in some procedures and the potential for direct harm to the security and stability of the residents.