UN Special Representative for Syria Geir Pedersen toured Sednaya Prison, infamous as a torture site under the Assad regime, where opposition detainees have been held. During the visit, Pedersen and his delegation met with relatives of prisoners and inspected the prison wards. A female UN official was visibly emotional after leaving one of the wards.
Speaking afterward, Pedersen described the conditions as “indescribable horror,” emphasizing the need for justice and accountability. “We must support families, survivors, and victims while preserving evidence to ensure such atrocities never happen again,” he stated.
Pedersen called for urgent action to end such abuses, highlighting the critical importance of preserving documents and supporting detainees and their families. “This tragedy must never be repeated anywhere in the world,” he added.