Syria: Reappearance of 8 Kurds from Qamishli

15 Jan 2010
Alkarama has received information regarding the reappearance of eight members of the Kurdish community of Qamishli who were disappeared since 2008. They were arrested between late August 2008 and late November 2008, and no information about their fate or whereabouts was given to their families until they were brought before the State Security Court in Damascus on 13 September 2009. After the hearing, they were transferred to the political wing of Adra prison. Alkarama had previously submitted their cases to the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) on 14 May 2009.

The following eight individuals are involved:

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1. Oscan Munzer (اوسكان منذر), born in 1977, an anesthetist, was arrested at his home on 28 August 2008 by members of the security services.

2. Oscan Nidal (اوسكان نضال), born in 1972, an agricultural engineer, was arrested at his home on 2 September 2008 by members of security services in civilian clothes.

3. Khalaf Abdel Baki (خلف عبد الباقي) born in 1966, a salesman, was arrested on 2 September 2008 near his store located in the central market of Qamishli by members of the security services.

4. Oscan Riyad (اوسكان رياض) born in 1974, a teacher, was arrested on 2 October 2008 in the building of his workplace by members of security services in civilian clothes. He was arrested for having conducted research into the cases of his two brothers who were arrested in August and September 2008.

5. Rasho Ali Kadar (راشو علي كادار), born in 1981, an entrepreneur, was arrested on 27 October 2008 at its home by members of security services in civilian clothes.

6. Rasho Bengin (راشو بنجين), born in 1979, a taxi driver, was arrested at his home on 27 October 2008 by members of security services in civilian clothes.

7. Rasho Lokman (راشو لقمان), born in 1972, residing in the village of Rasho near Qamishli is a farmer. Like many Kurds in Syria, he did not obtain Syrian nationality at birth. He disappeared on 1 November 2008 after having presented himself at the headquarters of security services in Qamishli; demanding, in exchange for himself, the release of his wife and mother who were taken hostage on October 27.

8. Oscan Kawa (اوسكان كاوا), born in 1974, a sports coach, was arrested at his home on 28 November 2008 by members of security services in civilian clothes.

These disappearances have been linked to the arrests on 1 September 2008 of two Kurdish opposition party leaders, Talal Mohammad of the Wifaq party and Mashaal Tammo of the Future movement, who are known for their condemnation of the Syrian the Government.

Alkarama intends to send their cases to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) as a result of their reappearance and continues to follow their ongoing trials. These eight men are among 24 individuals arrested in the Qamishli region between August 2008 and November 2008; the remaining 16 men are still considered disappeared.

Syria