AAUS Statement on the Disappearance of Dr. Basel Ramadan Al-Nmeili

The Alawite Association of the United States (AAUS) expresses grave concern over the disappearance of Dr. Basel Ramadan Al-Nmeili, a 29-year-old cardiovascular surgery resident at Damascus University, who has been missing since October 4, 2026. The pattern of targeting Alawite physician has been widespread with unlawful detention and a practice of intimidation of the minority group “Alawite.”

According to his family, Dr. Al-Nmeili had been subjected to repeated sectarian harassment, physical assault, and death threats because of his Alawite identity. Despite reportedly filing formal complaints, he disappeared just one day before a scheduled university disciplinary hearing concerning these incidents.

On October 8, his family reportedly received a call from an individual identifying himself as a security official, stating that Dr. Al-Nmeili was being held for questioning and would soon be released. As of October 13, his family has received no official confirmation of his whereabouts, physical condition, or legal status, nor has it been permitted direct contact with him.

AAUS urgently calls upon the Syrian authorities to:

1. Immediately disclose Dr. Al-Nmeili’s whereabouts, physical condition, and legal status.

2. Guarantee immediate access to his family, legal counsel, and appropriate medical care.

3. Release him without delay unless there are lawful grounds for detention, subject to due process and judicial oversight.

4. Conduct an independent and transparent investigation into his disappearance, the reported sectarian threats, and the physical assault preceding his detention.

5. Ensure that healthcare professionals and all Syrian citizens are protected from religious discrimination, intimidation, violence, and arbitrary detention.

This case raises broader concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Syria and underscores the urgent need for meaningful protections, equal citizenship, and accountability for sectarian persecution.

We reaffirm that such violations, including the reported detention of Dr. Al-Nmeili, are central to AAUS’s human rights advocacy and will remain subject to ongoing documentation and follow-up in our ongoing advocacy and reporting.

AAUS urges the Syrian Transitional Government to disclose Dr. Al-Nmeili’s whereabouts, ensure his safety, and uphold his fundamental human rights.

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For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Alawites Association of the United States

Dr. Morhaf Ibrahim, President of AAUS

Email: info@AlawitesAssociation.org

Phone: 202.599.4459

Website: www.alawitesassociation.com