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| Human Rights Situation in Syria still Appalling | Date: 27-09-2004 |
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Human Rights Situation in Syria still Appalling – Two members of CDF, EMHRN member organisation arrested The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Syria. The EMHRN is seriously worried about the persistent harassment of members of the Defense of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF), a member organisation of the EMHRN. The CDF has been very active lately in defending Human Rights and democracy in Syria, and has been recurrently harassed by Syrian authorities. Among the latest harassments are: Mr. Abd al-Karim Da’un, a health inspector and a member of the CDF board, was arrested on 4 September 2004. Syrian authorities claim that the arrest is based upon the unofficial and illegal visit made by Mr. Da’un to the al-Salamiya prison in August 2003, and his subsequent critical report on the sanitary situation in the prison. However, the EMHRN has received information that the security police in Hama demanded Mr. Da’un’s arrest because of his membership and involvement in the CDF, and in particular his participation in a protest action in front the Syrian Parliament on 8 March 2004. Mr. Da’un is currently held in the prison of Hama. CDF member, Mr. Khalid Ali, has been imprisoned in Damascus since June 2003. He is charged with dissemination of false information aiming at weakening the moral of the people in the State, and membership in a secret organisation. These charges relate to the emergency laws applied since 1963 in Syria. Mr. Aktham Naisse, President of the CDF, is charged with “opposing the objectives of the revolution”, “disseminating false information aiming at weakening the State” and “affiliation with international organisations”. Mr. Naisse was arrested on 13 April 2004 and released on bail on 17 August by a decision by the Syrian Supreme State Security Court. The trial against him is scheduled to continue on 24 October 2004. The EMHRN is highly concerned about the arrests and continued harassment of human rights defenders, especially in the context of Syrian authorities’ negotiations of an Association Agreement with the EU in which article 2 clearly states the Parties commitment to respect for human rights. The EMHRN calls upon § the Syrian authorities to immediately release Mr. Ali and Mr. Da’un, and to drop the charges against Mr. Naisse § the Syrian authorities to recognise the CDF and other human rights and civil society organisations § the Syrian authorities to put an end to harassment, intimidation, threats, and deliberate attacks on human rights defenders, and to respect its human rights commitments according to international standards and as expressed in the Barcelona Declaration to which Syria is a part as well as the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (of 9 December 1998) § the European Union to demand that Syria respects international human rights and international laws, particularly now that the EU is expected soon to sign an Association Agreement with Syria § the international community to express their concern about the situation for human rights defenders and human rights organisations in Syria, and to continue supporting them. For further information please contact: Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 95 65 54 |
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