Amnesty International has issued a stern call to the Syrian government this Friday, urging immediate action to address the troubling legacy of more than 100,000 people who disappeared during Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The human rights organization is pushing for a comprehensive nationwide search to uncover the fate of the missing, ensuring justice and reparations for their families.

In a detailed report released by Amnesty, the organization highlights the ongoing struggles of numerous families who are still in the dark about their loved ones, many of whom were detained under harsh conditions in government facilities, facing torture and other severe human rights violations.

Despite the fall of Assad, many responsible for these atrocities have yet to be held accountable, with some having fled the country. The establishment of the National Commission for the Missing (NCM) on May 17, as decreed by the transitional government, marks a potentially significant step forward. This body is tasked with investigating the cases of the missing and forcibly disappeared, and with setting up a national database to aid affected families.

However, concerns remain about the scope of the NCM’s mandate, particularly its use of gathered evidence, which according to Syria Accountability will not be utilized in criminal prosecutions. Amnesty International has highlighted the necessity for the NCM to operate independently and in alignment with international standards, specifically the UN Guiding Principles for the Search of Disappeared Persons.

Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director for MENA at Amnesty International, emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, "With each day that passes, the torment of families waiting for answers about the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones grows."

Amnesty’s call to action includes ensuring that the NCM is not only independent but also well-resourced and cooperatively supported across all state institutions. Moreover, the organization stresses the importance of integrating Principle 7 of the UN Guiding Principles into Syrian law, which mandates continued search efforts for the disappeared.

Additionally, Amnesty insists on full and adequate reparations for all victims of crimes and urges a thorough and impartial investigation into all crimes under international law. This should lead to the prosecution of suspected perpetrators, irrespective of their affiliations, and should be conducted without recourse to the death penalty.

The actions and reforms proposed by Amnesty International aim to pave the way for truth, justice, and healing in a post-Assad Syria, offering a glimmer of hope to thousands of families who have suffered too long in uncertainty and despair.