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| The prohibition of CDF-Syria is unaccceptable | Date: 08-09-2003 |
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The prohibition of CDF-Syria’s activities is unacceptable The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) has been informed that the Syrian Secret Services has forbidden any activity of the Syrian human rights organisation Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Syria (CDF-Syria), a member of the EMHRN. According to our information, the President of CDF-Syria Aktham Naisseh was summoned at the Syrian Secret Military on 27 August 2003. During the interview Mr Naisseh was threatened and insulted by the present officers, and it was made clear to Aktham Naisseh that all activities of CDF-Syria should stop. Mr Naisseh was not told on what grounds the order was given or from which legal institution. The prohibition comes in a context of repression against Syrian Civil Society, including the recent harassment of family members of CDF-Syria, and the arrest of several opposition members as Riyad Al-Turk, Riyad Saif, Mamoun Al-Homsi, Kamal Al-Labwani, Walid Al-Bunni, Habib Saleh, Aref Dalila and Hasan Sa’adon in 2001, see EMHRN press release: http://www.euromedrights.net/english/emhrn-documents/pressreleases/11_09_2001.html In this context the CDF has courageously continued its work of promoting a human rights culture in Syria in particular after the short-lived positive development in the field of human rights in Syria after President Bashar Assad arrived in power. The situation has however constantly degenerated and CDF remains unrecognised by the Syrian authorities who also denies several CDF members return from refuge to Syria. The EMHRN calls the Syrian authorities to stop the harassment of Syrian human rights activists, to recognise the CDF and to allow it continue its work. Human rights organisations are indispensable part of a vibrant civil society and a corner stone in all democratisation efforts. Human rights and civil society are also key elements of the Barcelona process to which Syria has committed itself and in the framework of which Syria is negotiating an association agreement with the EU. The EMHRN calls Syria to respect international human rights standards, including the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN ‘Human Rights Defenders Declaration’ (of 9 December 2003). It calls the EU to make human rights protection and promotion a priority element in its relations to Syria. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director / Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Wilders Plads 8 H, DK-1403 Copenhagen K, Denmark Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 69 89 01 E-mail: info@euromedrights.net |
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