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Inside Saydnaya: A Reflection on Syria’s Dark Past

Saydnaya prison, perched ominously on a hill about a half-hour’s drive from Damascus, has recently undergone a superficial transformation with its entrance repainted in the colors of Syria’s revolutionary flag. Yet, the new hues do little to mask the oppressive atmosphere that lingers in the air, a stark reminder of the despair faced by countless Syrians who have entered those gates.

Estimates suggest that over 30,000 detainees lost their lives within the walls of Saydnaya since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011. This figure represents a significant portion of the more than 100,000 individuals, predominantly men but also including women and children, who disappeared into the nightmarish realm of Bashar al-Assad’s prison system.

While some facilities in Assad’s network allowed for phone calls and family visits, Saydnaya stood out as the regime’s proverbial dark heart—its reputation built on fear and the threat of vanishing without a trace. The government’s silence regarding the fates of the incarcerated served as a mechanism of control over a terrified populace, bolstered by the relentless brutality and torture wielded by its various intelligence agencies.

In encounters with other notorious prisons, such as Libya’s Abu Salim and Pul-e-Charki in Kabul, I found neither matched the degradation and vileness experienced in Saydnaya. Here, in overcrowded cells, men often resorted to urinating into plastic bags due to limited access to restrooms. After the prison’s locks were forced open, remnants of filthy rags and threadbare blankets were all that remained for the detainees seeking comfort on cold, hard floors.

Documentation of torture and execution within Saydnaya has surfaced over time, and it’s anticipated that more information regarding the atrocities committed there will emerge as former inmates come forward. The remnants of Saydnaya now reflect the broader challenges Syria faces in healing and rebuilding following the regime’s decline.

A Push for Truth and Accountability

Among the substantial challenges ahead is the urgent need to document the crimes of the regime. In a remarkable effort, volunteers have begun to sift through the disarray of records found within the prison, amidst paperwork scattered across floor spaces and abandoned offices. These families, driven by desperation, seek any trace of their loved ones—or answers to their fates.

Safana Bakleh, a musician leading a group of volunteers, has taken on the monumental task without formal backing from international human rights organizations. “Even if one family receives closure about their loved one’s fate, it’s enough for me,” she expressed, highlighting the chaos of the circumstances surrounding their efforts.

As families comb through the remnants, some, like Widad Halabi, have been brought to tears by the reality of what took place within the prison. “What I’ve seen is inhumane,” she emotionally recounted after witnessing the conditions within Saydnaya. “The smell, the absence of sunlight… It’s unimaginable that such suffering occurred while we lived our daily lives.”

Justice or Revenge?

Finding those responsible for the regime’s heinous acts poses another significant challenge, especially with Assad and many of his officials having fled the country. Reports indicate that Assad’s brother, known for his violent tendencies, may have relocated to Iraq, while other family members have faced varying fates in their flight from justice.

The poignant image of families navigating the prison in search of answers encapsulates a broader yearning for accountability. Amidst the chilling cold of December, their cries for justice resonate through Saydnaya’s corridors. Men, unable to contain their anger and grief, express a fervent desire to see the regime’s architects held to account for their crimes.

Ahmed, a young man who endured three years in Saydnaya, voiced the overwhelming need for justice. His sentiments were echoed by countless others in the prison yard, all carrying a shared wish for the leaders of the fallen regime to stand trial for their actions.

The Legacy of Corruption

Syria’s corruption was deeply entrenched within the Assad regime, with the ruling family using the nation as their financial playground. They monopolized various sectors, robbing the populous and leaving an economy crippled by avarice. The direct effects of this corruption extended even to the prison system, where desperate families paid exorbitant bribes for their loved ones’ freedom, often without success.

Hassan Abu Shwarb, who endured a harrowing 11-year sentence, exemplifies the human cost of this systemic corruption. Despite his protestations of innocence, his family’s attempts to secure his release through bribery went unheeded, with officials pocketing money without fulfilling their promises. His experience of torture during detention has left indelible scars.

As Hassan emerged from the shadows of imprisonment, he expressed a blend of joy and a fervent hope for justice. “Those who caused this suffering should face consequences for their actions. We are human beings, not expendable objects,” he asserted, reflecting a widely held belief among survivors that accountability is essential for any meaningful future.

In this new chapter for Syria, the pursuit of justice will play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward. With previous rulers now ousted, the collective determination of the Syrian people may drive the demand for a reckoning with the past, as they aim to build a future free of fear and oppression.

Source
www.bbc.com