Post by : Saif Rahman

It has been a year since Bashar al Assad was ousted in Syria, and many families had hoped that the truth about their missing relatives would finally be uncovered. They anticipated access to prison records and the discovery of mass graves, believing they were on the brink of understanding the fate of their sons, husbands, and brothers. However, that hope is increasingly dim.

Across Syria, countless families remain with unanswered questions that linger painfully. Their loved ones were seized by security forces in the tumultuous years of conflict and never returned. Experts estimate that roughly 150,000 individuals vanished within Assad’s prisons, notorious for torture and executions.

Amina Beqai is among the countless individuals enduring this anguish. Both her husband Mahmoud and brother Ahmed were taken in 2012, and for over a decade, she has tirelessly searched for any trace of them. Daily, she inputs their names online in the hopes of uncovering news, yet finds nothing that brings her solace.

When the regime fell, many prisoners were released, and families gathered by gates and telephones in anticipation of reunions. Yet for individuals like Beqai, no one returned, shattering their final rays of hope.

In May, the newly formed Syrian government established a National Commission for Missing Persons, tasked with investigating disappearances and gathering evidence. Yet so far, families have not received the clarity they need. A full database is not expected until 2026, and work on mass graves may not commence until 2027.

This sluggish progression has led to frustration among families and human rights organizations, who feel overlooked, reminiscent of an earlier era. Activists have pointed out that the government has monopolized the process, sidelining those with valuable experience and insights.

Concerns persist, with some activists facing questioning or temporary detainment for disseminating prison documentation. Media outlets have been cautioned against publishing unofficial information, while families attempting to research online are warned to remain skeptical of the truth. This climate has intensified fear and confusion.

Some families have managed to gather information through independent efforts. In one case, spreadsheet evidence revealed a man’s death years prior—not from state sources but from journalists and human rights organizations, indicating that the truth exists but remains largely concealed.

The government maintains that it seeks to avoid errors, emphasizing the need for methodical and organized efforts. Collaborative work with international organizations like the Red Cross has commenced, focusing on training and essential resources such as DNA testing facilities.

While meticulous work is crucial, families also crave compassion. They deserve updates and to feel acknowledged. The absence of communication is as painful as their losses.

Elderly parents now gather in public tents, pressing for the truth—an action unthinkable in the past. Although the fear of speaking out has diminished, the pain remains unchanged.

The fall of a dictator should have signified transparency and accessibility to records, yet many Syrians find barriers still standing.

True justice transcends the emergence of new leaders; it demands truth, accountability, and dignity for both the deceased and the living. Syria cannot progress completely until families are informed about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

The families' requests are simple: they seek truth, respect, and peace within their hearts after long years of waiting.

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