Amnesty International reports abductions of Alawite women and girls in Syria

Amnesty International has stated that the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration in Syria must urgently intensify its efforts to prevent gender-based violence, conduct immediate, thorough, and impartial investigations into the abductions of Alawite women and girls, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a published report, the organization announced it has received credible information that since February 2024, at least 36 Alawite women and girls, aged between three and 40, have been abducted by unidentified individuals in the Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and Hama governorates.

The organization documented eight of these abduction cases—five women and three girls under the age of 18—and found that in all but one case, the police and security forces failed to conduct effective investigations to determine the fate and whereabouts of those abducted.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated on the matter, “The Syrian authorities have repeatedly promised to build a Syria for all Syrians, yet they are failing to prevent the abduction, physical abuse, forced marriage, and potential human trafficking of women and girls, and to effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible for these cases. This wave of abductions has had a profound impact on the Alawite community, which has previously been shaken by massacres. Women and girls are afraid to leave their homes or walk alone.”

The report recalled that the Truth Commission, established by interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to investigate murders on the Syrian coast, announced in a statement on July 22 that it had not received any reports of abducted women or girls.

Ransom, assault, and forced marriage

In all eight cases documented by the organization, families reported the abduction of their relatives to the police or security units.

In four cases, authorities ignored or failed to acknowledge new evidence presented by the families. In two other cases, the police and security forces blamed the families for the abductions.

In one case, the abductor sent the victim’s family a photograph showing signs of assault. In two other cases, the abductors or their intermediaries demanded ransoms ranging from $10,000 to $14,000 from the families.

Only one of these families was able to pay the ransom, but the woman was still not released. In at least three cases, one involving a minor girl, the abducted individuals were found to have been forcibly married.

Of the eight abducted individuals, only two have been able to return to their families. Amnesty International stated that it has no information about anyone being arrested, charged, or prosecuted in connection with any of these eight abduction cases.

Every woman on high alert

Many people interviewed reported that women and girls in the relevant governorates, the majority of whom are Alawite, live in fear or exercise extreme caution when leaving home for school, university, or work.

An activist who recently visited Syria’s coastal region described the situation:

“All women are living in a state of high alert; we cannot take a taxi alone, walk alone, or do anything without feeling fear. Although I am not Alawite and my family was initially skeptical about the abductions, they asked me not to go anywhere alone and to be very careful.”

Police and security forces are negligent

In all eight cases, families officially reported the abductions to local police and general security units. However, in all but one case, the authorities provided no information to the families regarding the progress of the investigations.

A relative of a woman abducted in February of this year said she repeatedly contacted the security forces and even provided the phone number of a suspect who had called the family, but she received no information from the authorities until July.

In three cases, families stated that the police and security forces blamed them, accusing them of negligence for “letting them go out in broad daylight” or mocking them for failing to protect them.

It was noted that concrete evidence that could help locate the abducted individuals was dismissed as “insignificant” or “fake.”

A relative of a woman abducted from her home described the family’s experience: “The family went to the general security unit to file a formal complaint but was met with terrible treatment. They blamed the family for not preventing the abduction. The family regretted going there. They went back repeatedly for weeks, but nothing changed.”

International law is being violated

The report emphasized that forced marriage is a human rights violation that exposes women and girls to other forms of abuse, including sexual violence.

It was stated that the abduction of women and girls, especially if they are transported or harbored for the purpose of exploitation, may constitute human trafficking, which is prohibited under international law.

Secretary General Callamard concluded, “The authorities have a legal and moral responsibility to prevent gender-based violence and punish the perpetrators. All women in Syria have the right to live without fear of abuse, discrimination, and persecution. Investigations must be urgent and comprehensive, conducted by independent investigators with all necessary resources. Accountability and reparations must be ensured. Failure to do so is a violation of human rights.”