Syrian opposition demands release of prisoners before peace talks

Negotiators from anti-Assad groups want show of faith before sitting down for Geneva talks aimed at ending five-year conflict

Syrian opposition negotiators are in Geneva – but are seeking the release of detainees as a ‘confidence-building measure’ ahead of talks. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Ian Black in Geneva-Saturday 30 January 2016

Syrian opposition negotiators are demanding the release of thousands of detainees, including hundreds of women and children being held by Bashar al-Assad’s government, as a confidence-building measure before joining UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

Syrian and western sources said on Saturday that an initial list of 177 prisoners had already been given to Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy trying to restart long-stalled negotiations between bitter enemies nearly five years into the conflict.

In total, the opposition is seeking the release of 3,000 people, including 700 held in Deraa, the largest city in southern Syria. “We are trying to push for women with newborn children,” said Farah Atassi, an opposition adviser. “That’s a priority. Then we will move to the next list.” In the past the government has pledged to free political detainees but in the end released only ordinary criminals.

The Geneva talks got under way on Friday with a meeting between De Mistura and a Syrian government delegation. The opposition announced later that it would also attend after a day of confusion and pressure – and receiving assurances from the US and UN that its demands for an end to airstrikes and improved humanitarian access would be taken seriously.                Read More