The Syrian Future Movement follows with deep sorrow and grief the news of the death of young Muhammad Hussam al-Din Ghamira on Sunday, August 16, 2026, days after he was hospitalized in critical condition following his arrest at the al-Haffa police station in the Latakia countryside.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the family and loved ones of the deceased, asking God Almighty to grant him His abundant mercy and to inspire his family and relatives with patience and solace.
It emphasizes that this tragic death, which came after a severe ordeal, constitutes a profound human loss and raises serious questions about the new state’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups such as hemophiliacs, and the importance of ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated in detention centers.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the procedural steps announced by the Internal Security Forces in Latakia Governorate, which included the detention of seven individuals who were present at the detention center at the time of the incident, pending investigation. This is in continuation of the procedures already undertaken and based on the findings of the specialized committee’s investigation.
However, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates that these measures, while important, remain preliminary steps in a long process of achieving justice. The true test lies in the investigation’s ability to uncover the whole truth, determine individual responsibilities, hold accountable all those found responsible for any transgression or negligence that led to this tragic outcome, provide fair compensation to the deceased’s family, and ensure that such practices are not repeated in the future.
The Syrian Future Movement points out that the Ghamira case clearly demonstrates the lack of adequate protocols for dealing with detainees with special health conditions, despite his family having previously informed the relevant authorities of his condition. We believe this death could have been prevented had immediate medical check-up mechanisms, appropriate healthcare for detainees, and clear protocols to prevent any form of violence against them been in place.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that this case constitutes a true test of the new Syrian state’s commitment to human rights standards and its ability to purge its institutions of the torture and neglect practices that prevailed in the past.
We believe that how this case is handled—through a transparent investigation, deterrent accountability, and fair compensation—will largely determine the nature of trust between citizens and their state institutions in the coming phase.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that Ghamira’s death, which followed widespread demands for reforming detention centers, demonstrates the urgent need for a fundamental review of the entire criminal justice system, from arrest and investigation protocols to oversight and accountability mechanisms, and guaranteeing detainees’ rights to healthcare and communication with lawyers and families.
We reiterate that any genuine reform requires a clear political will, investment in training personnel, and strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the public prosecution.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its previous statement on the matter, published on its official website under the title: “The Case of Muhammad Ghamira at the Al-Haffa Police Station” (dated August 15, 2026), in which it called for an urgent and independent investigation, holding those involved accountable, and ensuring that the victims receive justice and necessary medical care.
Based on its national and ethical responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
Ensuring a transparent and independent investigation into the Ghamira case:
- Announcing the results of the investigation fully and transparently, accurately identifying individual responsibilities, holding accountable anyone found responsible for any transgression or negligence, whether from the Internal Security Forces or any other entity, and providing fair compensation to the deceased’s family.
- Ensuring the protection of witnesses and informants, and providing legal and psychological support to the Ghamira family during this ordeal.
Addressing the root causes of the continued weakness of health protocols in detention centers:
- Analyzing the reasons for the persistence of these weaknesses despite the existence of legislation, such as inadequate training, lack of resources, or cultural resistance to change within some security circles, and developing implementation plans to address them.
- Adopt mandatory medical protocols to assess the condition of detainees immediately upon their arrival at detention centers, providing them with necessary healthcare and preventing any form of violence or neglect against them.
- Guarantee detainees’ right to immediate contact with a lawyer and their families, and establish a unified national registry of detainees that is updated daily and made available to families and relevant judicial authorities.
- Record interrogation sessions with audio and video, ensure the presence of a lawyer, and conduct an independent medical examination of detainees upon their arrival at and departure from detention centers.
Strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms:
- Establish an independent mechanism to receive citizens’ complaints about human rights violations in detention centers and ensure that these complaints are addressed seriously and transparently.
- Activate the role of civil society organizations and independent oversight bodies in monitoring detention centers and utilize UN mechanisms, such as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture stipulated in the Convention against Torture.
- Enhance the role of independent media in exposing violations and following up on cases, and guarantee freedom of access to information.
Launching Mandatory Training Programs and Cultural Reform:
- Launching mandatory training programs on human rights and combating torture for internal security personnel, judges, and public prosecutors, with a focus on dealing with detainees with special needs.
- Adopting clear codes of conduct that prohibit any violations and specify deterrent penalties, thus promoting a culture of human rights and the rule of law within security and judicial institutions.
Linking this issue to broader criminal justice reform efforts:
Noting that Ghamira’s death underscores the urgent need to accelerate comprehensive reform of the justice system in Syria to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, to entrench the principle of no impunity, and to support the independence of the judiciary and the public prosecution.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its strong condemnation of any practices that violate human rights and dignity, expresses its full solidarity with the family of the deceased Muhammad Ghamira in this profound loss, and reminds everyone that the blood of martyrs, including Muhammad Ghamira, is not just numbers, but a testament to their sacrifice.
This is a responsibility we all share, and a motivation to build a state that protects its citizens and safeguards their dignity.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the case of Muhammad Ghamira is a true test of the new Syria’s commitment to human rights and human dignity standards, and an opportunity for a fundamental reform of the criminal justice system.
For its part, the Syrian Future Movement will remain a supporter of all that promotes justice and transparency, critical of all shortcomings, and a monitor of all achievements, striving for a new Syria where justice prevails, the security and dignity of citizens are protected, and tragedies like that of Muhammad Ghamira are never repeated.
