Issues of Sweida disappeared, wounded are at popular protests' forefront

Families of those forcibly disappeared by the Syrian Interim Government and the "Brothers of Blood" Association for War Wounded in Sweida held a protest on Wednesday in al-Karama Square in the city, demanding information on the fate of the forcibly disappeared and emphasizing the basic rights of the wounded and the need to follow up on their humanitarian and medical cases.

The participants carried banners calling for the release of detainees and clarification of the disappeared fate, in addition to displaying photos of the disappeared and war wounded.

The participants stressed that their demands focus on the rights of victims and the missing, independent of any other agendas, and they called on the Syrian Interim Government and international bodies to provide clear answers to families awaiting news of their sons.

Thaer Azzam; one of the wounded, demanded that the rights of the wounded be secured, particularly the provision of medicine, treatment, and financial support, confirming that the protests will continue until a tangible response is achieved.

For his part, Bahij Salam, one of the speakers at the vigil, stressed the need to continue supporting the wounded and demanding information about the fate of the disappeared. He affirmed that this constitutes a "moral and humanitarian duty" towards the affected families.

The vigil was part of a broader movement in Sweida that has been ongoing since late last year, where families of the disappeared and wounded have been holding frequent protests demanding information about the fate of the missing, and guaranteeing the health and social rights of those injured in the war, amid calls to strengthen mechanisms for justice and human rights.

This activism comes in the absence of official clarifications regarding the humanitarian issues related to the disappeared and wounded, prompting families to continue organizing vigils and sit-ins, in coincidence with demands for the formation of independent investigative committees and the activation of humanitarian agreements, particularly after the attack the region witnessed in July of last year.

Similar daily protests are also taking place in various areas of North and East Syria, demanding the release of prisoners held in the prisons of the Interim Government since January of this year, following the military escalation witnessed in the region.

ANHA