Syria: Australian teenager’s death in prison was ‘completely preventable’, human rights experts say |
Yusuf Zahab, 17, was brought to Syria at the age of 11 by elderly relatives who had become radicalized, according to various media reports.
He is believed to have died of his wounds during and after the ISIL siege of the Al Hasakah camp in January, combined with the failure to receive adequate medical treatment.
Should never happen
The extremist group attacked the prison in an attempt to free fighters held there, sparking a week-long deadly battle with the Kurdish-led Syrian Self-Defense Forces (SDF) that control the facility. this.
“Zahab’s death is Completely preventablehe simply should never be held in this prison,” said UN experts speak in a statement.
“He should have been able to return to his hometown and family with the ability to live a full and decent life, the right to a protected and secure childhood. ”
Experts have written to the Australian government three times before, expressing concern about the detention of children and boys in northeastern Syria, including in Al Hakasah prison.
They highlighted the dire conditions at these facilities and called on authorities to repatriate their citizens.
‘Victims of Terror’
Furthermore, experts have repeatedly advocated for “a human rights-compliant solution” to address the situation of boys and young people being detained at Al Hasakah and other arbitrary detention sites in the region. .
“None of these boys, including Yusuf Zahab, are subject to any judicial process justifying their detention and all of them are being held under conditions that could be torture, or cruel, inhuman or otherwise degrading treatment under international law and affects their physical and mental health,” they said.
“The boys are victims of terrorism and deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity and a form of humanity. Their release from these prisons and detention sites is necessary and overdue.”
Protecting vulnerable children
Meanwhile, other children injured and harmed in the attack, whether physically or mentally, should be removed from prison immediately and provided with medical assistance, care, rehabilitation and psychological support.
Governments with “boy” citizens still in custody are also required to return them home, consistent with internationally accepted human rights obligations to protect the lives of young people.
States must also comply with their obligations under Convention on the Rights of the Childand ensure support and protection for children who may be victims of trafficking.
Repatriation of Australian citizens
Experts truly regret that Australia has so far been unable to repatriate its citizens from camps and detention facilities in northeastern Syria, most of whom are women and children.
They appeal to the authorities Move quickly to prevent further deaths and protect the health and welfare of child citizens by bringing them back to their homeland.
“The repatriation of vulnerable women and children is entirely possible and possible. The Australian Government has the capacity to do so. Many other governments are doing it now,” they said.
“Australia has an advanced child welfare, education, criminal justice and health system that is capable of addressing the needs of these children and their mothers. Non-repatriation is a waiver of Australia’s treaty obligations and deeper moral obligation to protect Australia’s most vulnerable children. ”
18 experts who made the statement have been appointed by the UN Dong Nhan Quyen Associationbased in Geneva.
They are tasked with monitoring and reporting on specific topics, such as the promotion and protection of human rights while fighting terrorism and the right to health care.
They are not employees of the United Nations and are not paid for their work.
