From Abduction and Tor ture in Damascus to Survival(Goya Roshan -Gouya Aydin)

lFrom Abduction and Torture in Damascus to Survival

Author: Gouya Roshan (Güya Aydın ) 

A Traumatic Experience and the Role of International Organizations in Saving Human Lives

Today, many people around the world face humanitarian crises and serious human rights violations. Some are trapped in such dire circumstances that without the help of the global community, they cannot escape oppression.
In 2010, I was one of the victims of such a crisis. My abduction in Damascus, the capital of Syria, changed not only my life but also the fate of my family. In this article, I will recount the painful experience I went through and highlight the vital role international organizations played in saving me and my family.

In August 2010, I was in Damascus as a regular visitor. I had no connection to Bashar al-Assad’s regime or any opposition groups. I was merely a tourist, walking through the streets and looking at shop windows. Suddenly, I was abducted by unknown individuals on one of the city’s main streets.

They brutally beat me without giving any explanation. I was taken to an abandoned and ruined building, where I was tortured for an entire night. I felt I was on the verge of death every single moment. The experience was not only physically painful but also deeply traumatizing on a psychological level. The next day, they left me in a remote area outside the city. I had no idea where I was or how far I was from Damascus. Some parts of my body were numb, and in others, I felt intense tingling and burning sensations.

But what worried me most was the fate of my family: Were they still alive? Had they also been kidnapped? Were they facing the same horrors? From that moment on, my greatest fear became their safety. I had no trust in the security of myself or my loved ones.

This incident profoundly shook me and my entire family. In this critical moment, the Canadian Embassy in Damascus and the International Human Rights Office in Syria stepped in. Through unprecedented speed and coordination, they evacuated me and my family and transferred us safely to Canada.

Thanks to God, the humanitarian and legal support of the United Nations, and the diplomatic efforts of the Canadian embassy, our safe evacuation was made possible. Within a few days, we were taken from Damascus to Canada. This swift and effective intervention saved our lives.

Arriving in Canada marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives — one that we were completely unfamiliar with. Though we had survived the tragedy, new challenges awaited us. My family and I had to quickly adapt to Canada’s legal and social systems.

The Canadian government supported us in rebuilding our lives. The legal and social assistance we received helped ease some of the emotional wounds left by the trauma. We were officially recognized as refugees and were able to live in a peaceful and secure environment.
Even after all these years, the memories of those days remain vivid for me and my children.

My experience proves that, through international cooperation, people can survive even the most difficult circumstances. Today, organizations like the United Nations, embassies, and humanitarian agencies play a crucial role in protecting human lives.

We are just one of thousands of examples that show how diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation can save lives in moments of danger. The rapid and coordinated response by the Canadian Embassy and the United Nations demonstrated the vital role international institutions can play in a complex and stressful world.

This experience taught me important lessons about human rights, international security, and the power of global solidarity.
Although my story is personal, it reflects the broader humanitarian crises that occur daily across the globe.

I learned that nothing in life is more valuable than freedom and safety. Thanks to God, the tireless efforts of human rights organizations, and the support of the Canadian government, my family and I survived.

This experience is a powerful reminder that the fight for human dignity and the protection of human rights must always remain a top priority on the international agenda. Human rights organizations must never stay silent in the face of crimes against humanity.