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IDHAE INFORMATION
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Lawyer
Anwar al-Bunni had been arrested on
Mai 17th in Damascus , along with nine other human rights defenders and political
activists, for
signing a petition by 274 leading intellectuals, journalists and artists from
both Syria and Lebanon urging a radical reform of relations between the two
countries. Called
"Beirut-Damascus, Damascus-Beirut Declaration”, the joint statement condemns
"any attempt to impose economic or other sanctions on the Syrian
people" and advocates the need to "respect and consolidate the
sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and of Syria as part of
institutionalised and transparent relations that serve the interests of both
peoples and reinforce them against Israeli aggression and US hegemony." It
also stresses "the need for definitive Syrian recognition of Lebanon's
independence," adding that "the first steps in this direction
should consist of a demarcation of borders and an exchange of
ambassadors." Mr.
Bunni is also charged, in particular, with “undermining national pride” and
“incitement to racial and sectorial hatred”. All
of the arrested were released in October
2006, except Mr. Anouar Al Bunni, founding member of the Syrian Human Rights
Association (ASDH) and member of the Committee for the Defence of Prisoners
of Conscience, who still remains detained at the Adra prison. Please write to the Syrian
authorities asking that they: i.
guarantee under all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of
Mr. Michel Kilo and Mr. Anouar Al Bunni, as well as of all human rights
defenders in Syria; ii.
release Mr. Anouar Al Bunni immediately and unconditionally, as his detention
is arbitrary; iii.
put an end to any kind of harassment, including on the judicial level, against
Mr. Michel Kilo and Mr. Anouar Al Bunni, as well as against all other human
rights defenders; iv.
conform with the provisions of the Declaration on Humans Rights Defenders,
adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, in
particular article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually
or in association with others, to promote the protection and realisation of
human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international
levels”, and article 12.2, which provides that “the State shall take all
necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of
everyone, individually or in association with others, against any violence,
threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or
any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise
of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”; v.
more generally, ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Syria in accordance with international human rights
standards. ADDRESSES : M. Bashar al-ASAD, President of the
Republic, Presidential Palace, Abu Rummaneh, Al-Rashid Street Damascus,
Syrian Arab Republic. Tel/ Fax : + 963 11 33 23 410 Général Basam ABD AL-MAJID, Ministry of the
Interior, Merjeh Circle, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. Tel/Fax : +963 11
222 34 28; Email: admin@civilaffair-moi.gov.sy M. Muhammad al-GHAFRI, Ministry of Justice,
Al Nasr street, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. Tel/Fax : +963 11 224 62 50 M. Walid MU’ALLIM, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, al-Rashid Street, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. Fax: + 963 11 332
76 20 His Excellence Ambassador Mr. Bashar
JA’AFARI, Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations
in Geneva, Rue de Lausanne 72 (3rd floor), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41
22 715 45 60, Email: mission.syria@ties.itu.int Ambassador Mr. Badi Khattab, Diplomatic
Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic in Brussels, 1 avenue F.D. Roosevelt,
1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: + 32 2 554 19 22; Fax: + 32 2 648 14 85 Please
also write to the diplomatic representations of Syria in your respective
countries. You can also of the Law Society
of England and Wales. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
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