Syria Ghouta residents want chemical attacks re-investigated

“We want recent investigations into the assault,” says Khalid. He says the testimony given by many to the OPCW fact-finding mission in 2019 was not dependable.

It is a declare corroborated by Abdul Rahman Hijazi, one of many eyewitnesses who testified earlier than the mission, who says he was compelled to offer the regime’s model of occasions.

“Intelligence officers detained me and instructed me to lie. They instructed me to say that folks had been killed due to mud inhalation not chemical compounds. They threatened me, that if I did not agree, my household is not going to be protected. They instructed me my home was surrounded by the regime’s males,” he stated.

One of many findings within the 2019 OPCW report on Douma states: “Some witnesses acknowledged that many individuals died within the hospital on 7 April as results of the heavy shelling and/or suffocation as a result of inhalation of smoke and mud.”

Abdul Rahman says he and his household had been shunned by the neighborhood for years after he gave the testimony. He discovered it robust to get a job.

Now he additionally desires a recent investigation.

“I want the reality to return out. I am unable to sleep. I want justice for each mum or dad.”