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| Halt Arrests of Political Critics - Syria | Date: 09-09-2001 |
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EMHRN calls on the Syrian authorities to immediately halt arrests of political critics The EMHRN is deeply concerned about the recent wave of arrests of Syrian political critics: Riyad Al-Turk, Riyad Saif, Mamoun Al-Homsi, Kamal Al-Labwani, Walid Al-Bunni, Habib Saleh, Aref Dalila and Hasan Sa’adon. Riyad Al-Turk, arrested on September 1 in Tartus, is a leading member of the Syrian opposition and was detained from 1980 to 1998 because of his opposition to the Syrian government. He needs regular medical care due to heart problems and diabetes. Mamoun Al-Homsi, an independent member of Parliament arrested on August 9 has been charged with "insulting the constitution, opposing the government and engagement in intelligence with foreign quarters" - charges that could result in 15 years of imprisonment. Riyad Saif, also an independent member of Parliament, recently arranged a civic forum meeting (named 'National Dialogue') in which Habib Saleh, Dr. Aref Dalila and Hasan Sa’don also participated. These emerging forums, held in private homes, have not been granted legal authorization and remain extremely vulnerable to closure and harassment by the Syrian authorities. Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani and Dr. Walid Al-Bunni were also involved in the 'National Dialogue'. Dr. Al-Labwani is a member of the CDF (Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Syria) and on the editorial board of the CDF magazine, 'Amarji' ('Freedom'). Except for Al-Homsi, none of the people arrested have been faced with any concrete charges and the EMHRN therefore asks the Syrian authorities to either publicly lodge charges against them and bring them promptly before a judge providing them access to lawyers, or, if lacking charges, to immediately and unconditionally release them. These arrests constitute an alarming and deplorable strike at human rights activist and civil society in Syria. While acknowledging some positive developments in Syria under President Bashar Assad, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network wishes to express its outmost concern at these arrests for activities, which might amount to no more than the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression and association. The Network calls upon the Syrian government to comply with its commitment to international human rights standards hereunder the 1995 Barcelona Declaration, and the 1998 declaration on the protection of human rights defenders. The EMHRN furthermore asks the Syrian authorities to guarantee al-Turk’s as well as Aref Dalila’s access to medical care and hereby express its solidarity with the CDF, a member organisation of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network. NOTES FOR EDITORS: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is regional network of about 60 human rights organizations and activists in the Euro-Mediterranean region working for the promotion and protection of human rights within the framework of the Barcelona Declaration and international human rights instruments. The Barcelona Declaration was adopted in November 1997 by the 15 EU members and 12 South Mediterranean countries, including Syria. It aims at turning the Euro-Mediterranean region into an area of shared ’peace, stability and prosperity’ built on respect for human rights. For further information, please contact: Marit Floe Jorgensen, EMHRN mfj@euromedrights.net Tel.: +45 32 69 89 12 |
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