Geneva, 19 March 2025 – The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) delivered an oral statement before the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council today under Agenda Item 4, shedding light on the plight of thousands of forcibly disappeared persons in Syrian prisons, including Palestinian refugees. The statement was presented by PRC Director, Dr. Tarek Hamoud.

Speaking before the Council, Dr. Hamoud highlighted the ongoing suffering of families who have been waiting for decades to learn the fate of their loved ones. "The issue of missing persons in Syrian prisons is not merely a statistic in forgotten records; it is a deep wound in the conscience of humanity," he stated. He reminded the Council that over 100,000 individuals remain missing in Syria, with more than 6,000 Palestinian refugees among them, including 49 children, as documented by the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria.

Dr. Hamoud further noted that these Palestinians of Syria were forcibly disappeared during the era of the former regime and, despite the opening of prisons following Syria’s transition to its current post-regime phase, their fate remains unknown.

He underscored that detainees endured systematic torture and severe human rights violations, as verified by credible testimonies. He called on the Human Rights Council to take decisive action by internationalising the issue, holding perpetrators accountable, and supporting the families of the missing.

"This is a profoundly humanitarian cause—one that transcends borders and affiliations. It is the cause of all who believe in justice, freedom, and human dignity," he concluded.

The Palestinian Return Centre remains firmly committed to advocating for the rights of Palestinian refugees and their families, and urges the international community to intensify efforts to uncover the fate of the forcibly disappeared, demanding accountability and justice.

Watch the statement here:

https://youtu.be/H1lG5NS8Rk8