Syrian Coalition Warns of Imminent Massacre in Hama Central Prison

Press Release                                   

Syrian Coalition

May 6, 2016

The Syrian Coalition warns of an imminent massacre against inmates of Hama Central Prison by regime forces who are preparing to storm the facility to quell the unrest taking place there.

Prisoners seized control of the prison on Monday following a decision by the Assad regime to move five political prisoners to the infamous Sednaya military prison to be executed.

Prison inmates caused a riot as a last resort as they could no longer bear the suffering and misery in light of the absence of any organizations concerned in the affairs of detainees and the circumstances of their arrest and trial in Syria.

If regime forces proceeded with their plans to storm the prison, it would be a reckless move by a regime that has already committed the most egregious war crimes in violation of all international laws.

The Syrian Coalition calls for a permanent monitoring mission to monitor conditions in prisons in Syria through a United Nations organization with a presence in Syria submitting periodic reports to the United Nations and the UN Security Council about the situation in Syria’s prisons.

The Syrian Coalition urges international organizations with a presence in Syria, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Red Crescent, to take urgent action and visit Hama Central Prison to evaluate the situation there.

The Syrian Coalition calls upon the United Nations to immediately exercise pressure on the Assad regime regarding the file of detainees in its prisons as well as regarding the situation in Syria in general with a view to ensure the cessation of the bombing of civilians as well as to create the appropriate conditions for bringing about a political transition in Syria.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.