As a UN resolution condemning Syria’s human rights violations was brought before the UN security council, later vetoed by China and Russia, official state television broadcast an interview with Zaynab al-Husni. State television utilised the occasion to not only prove that she is alive but to also question the accuracy of media outlets and human rights organisations (both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported the story of her kidnapping and murder). In the interview Zaynab al-Husni, most likely under coercion, states she is in good health and her disappearance was an escape from her siblings abuse.
On the other hand, Nabeel al-Halabi, head of the Lebanese Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, who contacted the family Zaynab al-Husni, states the family do confirm it was Zaynab who appeared on state television but it was the regime that fabricated her death to deceive them. The family did receive a body in the condition noted in Amnesty International’s original report and it was official judicial authorities that released the body from the military hospital on the basis it was Zaynab al-Husni (her brother’s body was released at the same time). The body released was disfigured beyond recognition, so it was not possible to confirm, at the time, whether it was Zaynab’s body.
It seems as if the regime intentionally fabricated the death of Zaynab al-Husni, expecting heightened attention by international media and Human Rights organisations. The interview provided an opportunity for the regime to contradict their claims, especially with an imminent UN resolution brought before the UN security council.
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The appearance of Zaynab al-Husni and regime propaganda
As a UN resolution condemning Syria’s human rights violations was brought before the UN security council, later vetoed by China and Russia, official state television broadcast an interview with Zaynab al-Husni. State television utilised the occasion to not only prove that she is alive but to also question the accuracy of media outlets and human rights organisations (both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported the story of her kidnapping and murder). In the interview Zaynab al-Husni, most likely under coercion, states she is in good health and her disappearance was an escape from her siblings abuse.
On the other hand, Nabeel al-Halabi, head of the Lebanese Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, who contacted the family Zaynab al-Husni, states the family do confirm it was Zaynab who appeared on state television but it was the regime that fabricated her death to deceive them. The family did receive a body in the condition noted in Amnesty International’s original report and it was official judicial authorities that released the body from the military hospital on the basis it was Zaynab al-Husni (her brother’s body was released at the same time). The body released was disfigured beyond recognition, so it was not possible to confirm, at the time, whether it was Zaynab’s body.
It seems as if the regime intentionally fabricated the death of Zaynab al-Husni, expecting heightened attention by international media and Human Rights organisations. The interview provided an opportunity for the regime to contradict their claims, especially with an imminent UN resolution brought before the UN security council.
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