Syria Ghouta residents want chemical attacks re-investigated

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

It’s a claim corroborated by Abdul Rahman Hijazi, one of the eyewitnesses who testified before the mission, who says he was forced to give the regime’s version of events.

“Intelligence officers detained me and told me to lie. They told me to say that people were killed because of dust inhalation not chemicals. They threatened me, that if I didn’t agree, my family will not be safe. They told me my house was surrounded by the regime’s men,” he said.

One of the findings in the 2019 OPCW report on Douma states: “Some witnesses stated that many people died in the hospital on 7 April as result of the heavy shelling and/or suffocation due to inhalation of smoke and dust.”

Abdul Rahman says he and his family were shunned by the community for years after he gave the testimony. He found it tough to get a job.

Now he also wants a fresh investigation.

“I want the truth to come out. I’m unable to sleep. I want justice for every parent.”

Additional reporting by Aamir Peerzada, Sanjay Ganguly and Leen Al Saadi