Detainees' families continue 6th day of sit-in, demand information on their fate

For the sixth consecutive day, families of detainees and missing persons continued their open-ended sit-in in front of the Kobani District Director’s building, demanding information about the fate of their sons and relatives, with no official response or clarification issued so far.

The sit-in, initially launched by the family of Mohammed Baraka, has expanded to include more than six families who have set up tents outside the district building. The protesters have remained there despite high temperatures, holding photos of their detained and missing relatives. Children have also joined the sit-in, sitting under the sun in a show of the families’ determination to learn the fate of their sons.

The father of detainee Mohammed Salman Darwish said his son has been detained for nine months in the village of Debsi Afnan in the Deir Hafer area. He said his son had been a fighter defending his land and people.

Darwish called for information about his son’s fate, saying the family had approached the district director several times and received promises but no response. He said he would continue the sit-in in front of the building and would not leave until he learns what happened to his son.

For her part, Avin Baki, the sister of detainee Ferzat Adel Baki, said her brother has been missing in Deir ez-Zor for nine months and that the family has received no information about him since January 18. She said they do not know whether he is still alive or has been killed.

Avin Baki called for the fate of her brother and all detainees to be disclosed, noting that the release of detainees was among the provisions of the integration agreement.

She stressed that the sit-in would continue until the families’ demands are met and they learn the fate of their sons, brothers and fathers. She also called for the issue of detainees and missing persons to be addressed seriously.

According to the protesters, the district director has not come out to meet with the families during the past six days, and no official clarification has been issued regarding the detainees’ conditions, places of detention or the charges against them.

The families affirmed their determination to continue the sit-in, saying the number of participants could increase in the coming days if their demands continue to be ignored. They called on human rights organizations and relevant authorities to intervene and help determine the fate of their relatives.

ANHA