Washington, D.C., June 12, 2024 – Global Justice and The Syrian Emergency Task Force organized and coordinated an event at the steps of the U.S. Capital for Majd Kamalmaz. Kamalmaz is an American psychotherapist known for his dedication to treating trauma victims worldwide, from hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans to those in Kosovo and Bosnia. This event was to honor him following the U.S. government’s declaration of his passing in May of this year. Kamalmaz was detained and forcibly disappeared by the Assad regime in Syria on February 15th, 2017 while visiting an ailing family member.
The event brought together Kamalmaz’s family members, lawmakers, and advocates, highlighting the need for accountability and justice for Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina opened the ceremony, expressing admiration for Kamalmaz’s life and work. “Dr. Kamalmaz devoted his life to counseling children and families who were forced to leave their communities by the brutal Assad regime,” Wilson said, urging bipartisan support for the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act to hold the Assad Regime accountable.
Congressman French Hill of Arkansas echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the bipartisan commitment to supporting families of Americans detained overseas. We are working to fight for every American family that has a family member wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage,” Hill stated. He also stressed the need for accountability, saying, “We will remember your father’s legacy and the regime and enablers must be held accountable.”
Stephen Rapp, former ambassador at large for global justice, emphasized the importance of prosecuting those responsible for Kamalmaz’s detention and death. “The evidence against this regime is stronger than what we had against the Nazis at Nuremberg,” Rapp said, calling for criminal prosecutions to send a clear message.
Majd Kamalmaz’s daughter, Maryam Kamalmaz, shared personal stories and expressed gratitude for the support. She highlighted the broader implications of her father’s case, stating, “That flag was not just for my father; it was for the hundreds of thousands of Syrians and people from different nationalities who have suffered.”
The ceremony concluded with a spoken word tribute by Kamalmaz’s granddaughter, Layla, a performance that captured the family’s grief and admiration for their beloved patriarch. “You healed me despite your absence. My fight is finally over. So I’m here to talk about yours,” she recited, moving many to tears.
This event at the steps of the Capitol commemorated the legacy of Majd Kamalmaz, but also served as a collective call for accountability and a criminal trial against the Assad regime for the death of an American.
