Document - Syria: Prisoner of conscience, Riad Seif
PUBLICAI Index: MDE 24/029/2001
UA 226/01Prisoner of Conscience7 September 2001
SYRIARiad Seif (m), Parliamentarian, Age 54
Riad Seif, an independent member of the Syrian National Assembly (Parliament) was arrested on 6 September, one day after hosting a political seminar at his house in the outskirts of Damascus. Amnesty International considers Riad Seif to be a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for his opinions and peaceful opposition activities.
Between 400 and 500 people reportedly attended the seminar organized by Riad Seif and hosted by the National Dialogue Forum, during which the guest speaker Professor Burhan Ghaliun, called for political reform and democratic elections. According to an official spokesperson, Riad Seif was prosecuted following a “special permission” from the National Assembly which removed his parliamentary immunity. Syrian press reports state that a judge issued a warrant for his arrest, but it is not known what he has been charged with.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Riad Seif is a leader and organizer of the National Dialogue Forum (a group within the emerging civil society movement in Syria) and the second member of parliament to be arrested in the last four weeks. Mamun al-Homsi was arrested on 9 August, two days after he began a hunger strike in protest at official corruption and the massive powers wielded by the security forces.
(See UA 205/01, 10 August 2001, MDE 24/026/2001)
Another prominent opposition figure Riad al-Turk was detained last week, three years after being released from prison, where he was held as a prisoner of conscience from 1980 to 1998 because of his opposition to the Syrian government. (See UA 217/01, 3 September 2001, MDE 24/027/2001)
The Syrian authorities had imposed a number of restrictions on discussion forums and activities of civil society groups in February 2001.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic, English, French or your own language:
- calling for Riad Seif to be released immediately and unconditionally, as a prisoner of conscience;
- seeking assurances that he is being well treated in custody and not tortured or ill-treated;
- urging the authorities to ensure that he is allowed immediate access to his family, lawyer and any medical care he needs.
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency
President Bashar al-Assad
Presidential Palace
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Telegrams:President al-Assad, Damascus, Syria
Telexes:419160 prespl sy
Salutation:Your Excellency
His Excellency
Nabil al-Khatib
Ministry of Justice
Al-Nasr Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Telegrams:Justice Minister, Damascus, Syria
Fax: + 963 11 224 6250
Salutation:Your Excellency
His Excellency
Dr Muhammad Harba
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Merjeh Circle
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Telegrams:Interior Minister, Damascus, Syria
Faxes:+ 963 11 222 3428
Telexes:411016 AFIRS SY
Salutation:Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
His Excellency
Nasser Qaddur
State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 0686
Salutation:Your Excellency
and to diplomatic representatives of Syria accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 October 2001.