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Damascus – October 24, 2025
Today marks 100 days since the abduction of Hamza Al-Amareen, head of the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) center in Izraa, Daraa Governorate, while carrying out a humanitarian mission in Suwayda Governorate on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. On that day, a local armed group intercepted his humanitarian vehicle, bearing the Syrian Civil Defense logo, at Al-Omran Circle in Suwayda city. He was on his way to carry out an emergency evacuation mission for a United Nations team and was taken to an unknown location.
Less than 24 hours after his abduction, an unidentified person answered his phone, confirming that he was fine. The call was then cut off completely. Since then, there has been no confirmed information about his whereabouts, circumstances, or fate.
Previous Statements
On August 16, 2025, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) issued a joint statement with the Syrian Civil Defense, a month after the kidnapping of Al-Amareen. A similar statement was issued previously, on July 19, 2025, noting that the kidnapping deprived the victim of his freedom and his humanitarian role in saving the lives of others, and caused significant harm to his family, colleagues, and the local community he dedicatedly serves.
Legal Framework and Demand
Targeting humanitarian workers is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and undermines efforts to protect civilians. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) demands that the controlling forces that abducted him immediately and unconditionally release Hamza, reveal his fate, guarantee his physical and psychological safety, and hold all those involved in this crime accountable.
Legal Conclusions
- Hamza’s abduction constitutes a grave violation of the right to liberty and security of person, enshrined in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Targeting humanitarian workers, particularly while carrying out their duties, constitutes a breach of the Geneva Conventions, which require their protection from attack or arbitrary detention.
- This act undermines the principles of neutrality and humanity upon which humanitarian organizations are based and threatens the integrity of humanitarian operations in conflict zones.
- The parties controlling the ground bear a legal responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, uncover the fate of those abducted, and hold perpetrators accountable.
- If these practices are proven to be systematic or widespread against humanitarian workers, they may constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Recommendations to the kidnappers and local controlling parties in Suwayda
- Immediately and unconditionally release Hamza Al-Amareen, provide proof of life without delay, and ensure his safe transfer to his family or a neutral humanitarian organization.
- Absolutely refrain from extrajudicial detention, and allow access to medical care, legal counsel, and family contact until the moment of release.
- Hand over any seized humanitarian property or equipment, preserve relevant evidence, and hand it over to a competent investigative body.
- Adhere to the principles of neutrality and non-obstruction of humanitarian movement, and provide safe passage guarantees for vehicles marked with humanitarian emblems.
Recommendations to the Syrian Government
- Open an independent and transparent criminal investigation into the kidnapping incident occurring within Syrian territorial jurisdiction, and prosecute the perpetrators, regardless of their status.
- Activate an urgent national mechanism to receive reports of kidnapping and disappearance from any party, and coordinate the response between the Public Prosecution, the Judicial Police, and the Forensic Medicine Authority.
- Enable safe humanitarian access through protected corridors, coordinate the movement of humanitarian personnel, and issue binding instructions not to intercept humanitarian vehicles.
- Fully cooperate with relevant international mechanisms and allow independent visits to places where persons may be unlawfully detained.
Recommendations to the United Nations and International Humanitarian Organizations
- Activate joint operational security arrangements (contact points, movement plans, incident reports), and provide technical support for national investigations.
- Use serious mediation efforts and diplomatic pressure to urge the kidnappers to release them immediately and unconditionally.
Recommendations to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent
- Seek access to the victim if there are indications of their place of detention and provide family message services and urgent search and tracing support.
- Provide technical guidance on evidence preservation and protective measures when receiving the victim after release.
