KHRP condemns the continued arbitrary detention of Kurdish civilians by Syrian forces since the Newroz festival in al-Raqqa, Syria.
 
Some of the news initially released by local media outlets was incorrect after confusion as to the exact numbers and identities of those killed, injured, or detained by the Syrian authorities.

New reports however, confirm the death of 14-year old Muhamad Umer Haydar, in Aleppo University Hospital on 21 March 2010. He was allegedly shot by Syrian Intelligence officials who fired live ammunition rounds and sprayed tear gas at unarmed revellers celebrating the Newroz festival. At least 41 other civilians were reportedly injured, including Mohammed Khalil, who was critically wounded and taken to al-Razi hospital in Aleppo. According to reports, there remains a strong security presence at local hospitals, with family members facing arrest upon visiting their loved ones. Mohammed Khalil’s parents are among those allegedly still in detention.
 
The total number of people detained remains unknown. Three juveniles are still thought to be in custody. Two people are allegedly detained by the Branch of Political Security in the city of Qamishlo. Seven people who were detained in al-Hassaka, two of which are juveniles, have reportedly been tried in front of a military judge.

According to reports 24 people, four of which are juveniles, are due to appear in front of a tribunal and 17 people have been released awaiting trial, including a 15-year-old girl called Sherin M. Othman. It is alleged that the respective heads of the State Security Branch, General Khalid al-Halabi, and the Ba’ath Party Branch, Abdul Razzak al-Jassim in al-Raqqa, had one-week earlier attended a meeting where they decided that Ba’ath Party members would go to the Newroz celebrations in a deliberate bid to provoke attendees.  

‘KHRP today reiterates its strong condemnation of the Syrian State for killing and inflicting serious injuries on its own civilians, in flagrant disregard of international norms and calls for an immediate and objective investigation into the events to ensure that those responsible are held to account, said KHRP Chief Executive, Kerim Yildiz. ‘KHRP also calls for those who were arbitrarily detained to be immediately released and pleads that any trials are administered by an impartial and fair tribunal.’