Expanded Judicial Investigation Targets Two Former Syrian Ministers in the Case of Detained Children
The Syrian capital, Damascus, witnessed a new development in the stalled human rights files, as former Ministers of Social Affairs and Labor, Kinda Al-Shammat and Reema Al-Qadri, were arrested and referred for investigation in a case involving the management of files of detained and forcibly disappeared children.
Investigation Background
These actions were taken in implementation of Resolution No. 1806 of 2025 issued by the competent authorities, which mandated the formation of a special investigation committee to examine the situation of the children of detainees. The scope of the investigation expanded to include several former officials in the social welfare sector and its affiliated associations, as preliminary investigations revealed systematic violations leading to the disappearance of hundreds of children without clear legal procedures.
Violation Details
The investigations uncovered significant gaps in the records of children of unknown parentage who were placed in welfare institutions during the tenures of the two former ministers. Strong indications of possible forgery in lineage documents emerged, along with the illegal transfer of children to alternative families and potential involvement of certain parties in smuggling children out of the country through unlawful adoption routes.
Profiles of the Detained Ministers
Kinda Al-Shammat, born in the town of Sargaya in 1973, served as Minister of Social Affairs and Labor between 2013 and 2015. Al-Shammat, who holds a PhD in private law from Damascus University, previously participated in the drafting committee for the 2012 constitution and managed the files of displaced persons and humanitarian aid, which were marred by corruption allegations. Her name was also linked to prominent security figures, raising questions about the integrity of her administrative decisions.
As for Reema Al-Qadri, born in Damascus in 1963, she succeeded Al-Shammat as minister between 2015 and 2020. Al-Qadri, with a degree in French language, held various positions including chairing the regulatory authority for children of unknown parentage. She was known for her public support of the previous regime, participating in campaigns backing its forces during the war years. During her tenure, the scope of welfare services expanded, including the "Melody of Life" shelters suspected of concealing the identities of children of detainees.
Case Background
The roots of this case trace back to the years of the Syrian war, where a large number of children were separated from their relatives who were detained or forcibly disappeared, and were placed in state-run care facilities without clear legal documentation. Human rights reports indicate that some of these children were transferred to foster families or even abroad without official procedures.
Investigation Progress
The formed committee continues its work diligently, with expectations of including more names in this case. Reliable judicial sources confirm that the investigation will encompass all implicated officials, including those involved in the disappearance of children or manipulation of their records.
