In the wake of Syria’s recent upheaval and regime change, harrowing images and accounts from Sednaya Prison have emerged. Established in 1987 as a military facility for detaining political prisoners and dissenters, Sednaya has become synonymous with brutality. Its grim reputation mirrors that of Guantanamo Bay, the US-run detention centre in Cuba since 2002. Both prisons are notorious for inhumane treatment, where physical and psychological torture reduce inmates to a state below human dignity—a stark contradiction to the principles of human rights that these nations claim to uphold. History reveals that prisoners, regardless of their offences, are often stripped of their humanity. Around the world, examples abound: Gitarama Prison in Rwanda, the supermax EDX facility in the United States, Mendoza Prison in Argentina, and Russia’s Black Dolphin Prison.
Others, like Iran’s Evin Prison under the Shah or Egypt’s Military Prison during Gamal Abdel Nasser’s regime, are infamous for the torment their inmates endured. Some of these stories emerge later as memoirs or fictionalised accounts, serving as chilling reminders of human cruelty. Human dignity is inherent and does not vanish with the commission of a crime. This principle is enshrined in international human rights charters, including the United Nations’ declaration that all prisoners must be treated with respect for their inherent value as human beings. It also prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, or political opinion. A prisoner’s dignity remains intact, and their punishment must be proportionate, lawful, and determined by an independent judiciary. Unlawful detention, indefinite imprisonment without trial, and denial of legal representation blatantly violate these principles, particularly in cases involving prisoners of conscience. Yet, the grim reality persists. Secret prisons, often hidden from international scrutiny, operate in many developing nations. Even in countries that champion human rights, such as the United States, breaches of these principles are evident—especially in the treatment of political prisoners worldwide. These institutions serve as stark reminders that the lofty ideals of human rights often fail in practice. Sednaya Prison is just one example. Without the recent Syrian conflict, its horrors might have remained obscured, as countless detainees vanish into secret cells, never to be seen again. Victims face summary executions or prolonged deaths under torture, their stories buried with them. In lawless environments, as seen in parts of Syria, mob justice and arbitrary killings prevail, echoing the chaos of the French Revolution. Amid this bleak landscape, there are glimpses of hope. Prisons that prioritise reform over revenge, adhering to human rights and transparent judicial processes, exemplify the potential for humane incarceration. Such systems separate the individual’s dignity from their crime, focusing on rehabilitation rather than degradation. This model, guided by independent oversight and civil society’s watchful eye, is a vision worth pursuing—one that honours humanity and fosters progress, particularly in the Arab world.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari. The original version of the article appeared in Arabic in Oman newspaper’s print version on December 18, 2024.
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