The Kurdish Lawyers Union is monitoring the case of Ms. Wisal Hanan (born 1986), from the village of Gemrûkê (Gundî Gemrûkê) – Afrin, who has been subjected to arbitrary detention since 23 June 2019. Her detention occurs within the context of systematic violations affecting civilians in al-Ra’i Prison and constitutes serious breaches of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Wisal Hanan is the mother of two children:

• Mohammed (9 years old)
• Diana (7 years old)

At the time of her abduction from the Azaz bus station, she was accompanied by her two children and living under extremely vulnerable humanitarian conditions due to forced displacement and the absence of the father. With no safe alternatives available, she was compelled to take them with her to the place of detention, where they remained with her for nearly five years (2019–2025) under conditions that failed to meet minimum humanitarian standards.

At the end of 2025, the children were transferred to their grandfather due to serious concerns regarding their safety. They are currently under his care; however, they remain unregistered and lack official documentation due to the absence of formal marriage registration, the continued detention of the mother, and the absence of the father. This situation has deprived them of fundamental rights, including access to education, healthcare, legal protection, and identity documentation.

This case constitutes grave and systematic violations of both international and domestic law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Fourth Geneva Convention. Syria ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993 and enacted Law No. 21 of 2021 concerning child protection.

The detention of the children amounts to arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and their prolonged presence in a detention environment violates the principle of the best interests of the child and may amount to cruel or inhuman treatment.

The Kurdish Lawyers Union holds the de facto authority (the Syrian Interim Government) and its affiliated entities fully and directly legally responsible for these compounded violations, including the detention of children. It is noteworthy that Diana was an infant of approximately four months old at the time of the incident.

Accordingly, we call for:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Wisal Hanan.
• The opening of an independent and transparent investigation and the accountability of those responsible.
• Ensuring the official registration of the children and securing their legal protection.
• Providing the necessary psychological, social, and humanitarian support.
• Establishing special legal protection mechanisms for unregistered children.

This case represents a tragic example of the suffering of children in conflict settings and calls for urgent and effective international action to ensure the protection of victims and to put an end to such violations.

Note: We refrain from publishing photos of the children in respect of their privacy and to ensure their safety.

Kurdish Lawyers Union
Monitoring, Documentation, and Archiving Committee
Bonn, Germany
22 April 2026

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