Qamishlo, Syria – Families and friends of prisoners held by the “Interim Government” organized a protest today in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) building in the Siyahi neighborhood of Qamishlo, demanding the immediate release of the detainees.
According to the ANHA news agency, protesters held up photographs of their imprisoned sons and fellow fighters, alongside banners bearing slogans such as: “Freedom is a right, not a demand,” “Our mothers are waiting… where is justice?”, “With the prisoners until victory,” “Every waiting mother carries a thousand stories of pain,” “Freedom for our sons and comrades,” “We are with you, heroic prisoners,” “Mothers’ hearts are calling you,” “They sacrificed themselves for us, so it is our duty to support them,” “Prisoners are our heroes despite all restrictions,” “No peace without the freedom of prisoners,” “Prisoners are a red line,” “Our patience has run out… we want our prisoners,” “Freedom for all heroic prisoners,” “They were captured by treachery,” and “The prisoners are freedom.”
Cries echoed in front of the UN building, including: “Long live the prison resistance,” “With soul and blood, we redeem our prisoners,” “Break the chains and shackles of the prisons,” and “We want our prisoners… we want our fighters.”
Protesters also demanded information regarding the fate of journalists Eva Maria Majelmann and Ahmed Polat, noting the continued absence of clear information regarding their current status.
The families emphasized that their patience has been exhausted, vowing to continue their movement until their demands are met and their children are released. This sit-in is part of a series of protests organized by the families since mid-January to demand disclosure of their fate and guarantee their freedom.
Demonstrations in Amuda
In a related development, residents and families of prisoners in the city of Amuda organized a demonstration today. The march began at the city market and proceeded to the Women’s Roundabout, before transitioning into a protest vigil. Participants demanded the release of their sons held by the Interim Government in Syria since the outbreak of events in the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Deir Hafir areas in January of this year.
A number of city residents joined the families, asserting that the prisoners’ cause is a humanitarian issue and calling on the public to shoulder their responsibilities and stand by them until their goals are achieved.
Banners in Amuda read: “Prison walls do not block the sun of truth,” “Release our sons,” “Freedom is an inviolable right,” “Return the prisoners before any agreement,” “The prisoners’ file can be solved with a word, why the procrastination?”, and “Mothers’ hearts are burning for their children.”
Participants chanted slogans calling for the immediate release of the detainees, urging all concerned parties to work seriously on this file and resolve it as quickly as possible. At the conclusion of the vigil, the families affirmed that their voices would not be silenced until freedom is achieved, stressing that the cause of the prisoners remains a priority until they return to their families.
Student Solidarity in Garki Legi
In the city of Garki Legi, the Students’ Council of the Faculty of Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Rojava issued a statement from outside the faculty building in the town of Rmelan.
The statement, delivered by Professor Said Ibrahim, expressed the students’ humanitarian solidarity with the prisoners. He emphasized that their movement stems from a belief that freedom and dignity are inherent human rights that cannot be waived or compromised.
The statement stressed that the gathering reflects a student consciousness that accepts its moral responsibility toward humanitarian issues, rejecting silence in the face of violations and asserting that silence in the face of injustice is a form of complicity.
The students clarified that their movement is entirely peaceful and based on the values of dialogue and respect, distancing themselves from any calls for violence or hatred. They noted that their goal is to deliver a sincere humanitarian voice demanding justice and the right of every individual to live in dignity, safety, and freedom.
Finally, the statement pointed out that prisoners are not just numbers, but individuals with families, dreams, and futures, and that highlighting their cause is a humanitarian duty above any political stance.
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