Syrian Regime Amnesty Decree Released only 547 Detainees

Many Syrians gathered on May 3 in Damascus hoping for the release of relatives held in regime prisons. [LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty]
Many Syrians gathered on May 3 in Damascus hoping for the release of relatives held in regime prisons. [LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty]
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Syrian Regime Amnesty Decree Released only 547 Detainees

Many Syrians gathered on May 3 in Damascus hoping for the release of relatives held in regime prisons. [LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty]
Many Syrians gathered on May 3 in Damascus hoping for the release of relatives held in regime prisons. [LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty]

The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the release of 547 detainees from Syrian prisons during the period between early May till mid-June.

It stressed in a report on Saturday that there are some 132,000 people still detained or held in regime prison.

The report confirmed that between May 1 and June 13, amongst those released were 61 women and 16 people who were children at the time they were arrested.

A presidential decree called in May for “granting a general amnesty for terrorist crimes committed by Syrians” before April 30, 2022, “except for those leading to the death of a person.”

According to the report, among those released, at least 158 had seen their security situation adjusted before being arrested and had been granted a settlement pledge that they would not be aggressed by security branches.

Also, 28 people were arrested after returning to Syria, having been refugees and residents outside the country. These included four women, the report said.

The network called on the international community to pressure the Assad regime to release the people who are still detained or held in regime prisons, including 87,000 people who are among the forcibly disappeared.

It also demanded that the regime cancels its exceptional courts and nullify all its verdicts that violate many of the basic rights of the Syrian citizens.

They ruled out the implementation of any of these demands without a political transition that ends the tyranny and brutality of the security services.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.