A dynamic, user-driven map of detention centers with linked survivor testimonies and legal analysis.

Syria’s ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, with detention facilities becoming central to the state’s tactics of repression. Over the course of the war, thousands of individuals have been detained under often brutal conditions, many subjected to torture, forced disappearances, and unlawful imprisonment. The Mapping Syria’s Detention Facilities (Beta Version) project aims to provide a comprehensive, interactive map of these facilities, shedding light on their locations, capacities, and the conditions detainees face within them.

Why Mapping Matters

The importance of mapping Syria’s detention facilities cannot be overstated. For years, the Syrian government has operated a vast network of detention centers across the country, with little transparency or oversight. Detainees have been subjected to torture, forced confessions, and sometimes even extrajudicial executions. Many facilities have been used as tools of control and intimidation, with reports of mass arrests targeting political dissidents, activists, and anyone perceived as a threat to the regime.

The Mapping Syria’s Detention Facilities (Beta Version) serves several key purposes:

• Documentation of Human Rights Violations: The map will help document the scale of human rights abuses, providing vital evidence that can support future legal cases and accountability efforts.
• Aid to Families and Survivors: Many families of the disappeared or detained have been left in limbo, unsure of their loved ones’ whereabouts. By identifying detention centers and their operations, this map aims to provide critical information for families searching for answers.
• Support for Legal and Advocacy Efforts: As international legal bodies and human rights organizations pursue justice for those impacted by Syria’s detention system, the map will serve as a tool for accountability and advocacy.

What the Beta Version Offers

The Beta Version of the Mapping Syria’s Detention Facilities project provides a preliminary look at the geographical spread of detention centers across Syria, including those known for their notorious conditions. Key features include:

• Interactive Map: Users can explore detention centers across the country, with a focus on major cities and conflict zones like Damascus, Aleppo, and Raqqa.
• Facility Information: The map includes details such as the facility’s location, size, and the types of detainees held, where available. It also highlights reports of torture, disappearances, and other abuses associated with specific centers.
• Historical Data: Some facilities are linked to reports of detainee deaths, human rights abuses, and mass arrests. The Beta Version includes this critical historical data, though further verification and updates are ongoing.

The Importance of Transparency and Accountability

Mapping these facilities is an essential step in ensuring accountability for the crimes committed within them. The Syrian government’s use of detention as a tool of war and suppression has often gone unchecked, and for many families, the disappearance of a loved one in one of these facilities is a matter of personal and political devastation.

With an increasing push from the international community for accountability, this mapping effort is an important step toward ensuring that those responsible for operating these centers—and the horrific acts that take place within them—are held to account. Additionally, as war crimes trials and truth commissions gain momentum, the evidence provided by this map will be crucial in presenting a clear and comprehensive case.

Challenges and Next Steps

While the Beta Version is an important first step, there are significant challenges in completing the full map. Many detention facilities, especially those operated by non-state actors, remain secretive or in areas of active conflict, making verification difficult. Additionally, security risks and limited access to firsthand data can hinder efforts to gather accurate information.

Moving forward, the project will rely on ongoing collaboration with local activists, survivors, and international human rights organizations. As more data becomes available, the map will be continuously updated to provide the most accurate and comprehensive information possible.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Justice

The Mapping Syria’s Detention Facilities (Beta Version) is an essential tool in the fight for justice and accountability. By providing an overview of the detention system, it aims to shed light on the widespread violations taking place within these centers and ensure that the victims of Syria’s detention network are not forgotten. This map will continue to evolve, offering an invaluable resource for families, legal advocates, and international bodies seeking to hold perpetrators accountable.

Through transparency, documentation, and relentless advocacy, we can hope to bring an end to the use of torture and unlawful detention in Syria and help survivors find justice.