MDE 24/020/2006
Further Information on UA 41/06 (MDE 24/019/2006, 17 February 2006) -
Fear of torture/ incommunicado detention / prisoners of conscience
SYRIA : ’Ali Nizar ’Ali (m), aged 21, student (name amended)
Husam ’Ali Mulhim (m), aged 21, student
New name:Tarek Ghorani, (m), student
21 February 2006
On 20 February, university student Tarek Ghorani was arrested by Air Force Intelligence officers in the small village of Hussaynieh, near the capital, Damascus. He is held incommunicado at an unknown location and is at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
Tarek Ghorani was one of two students who had gone into hiding after security officers raided their houses on 26 January, apparently in connection with their participation in peaceful pro-democracy discussions. He had been staying with relatives when Air Force Intelligence officers forced their way in to the house and arrested him.
Students ’Ali Nizar ’Ali (whose name was previously given as ’Ali Nazeer Mustafa) and Husam ’Ali Mulhim remain in incommunicado detention after being arrested by Air Force Intelligence officers on 26 January. They had also been part of the same pro-democracy discussions. Amnesty International considers all three students to be prisoners of conscience, held solely for their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Arabic, French or your own language :
expressing concern at the arrest of student Tarek Ghorani on 20 February, apparently in connection with his participation in peaceful pro-democracy discussions ;
expressing concern at the continued detention of ’Ali Nizar Ali and Husam ’Ali Mulhim, and concern for the safety of the student who remains in hiding ;
calling for ’Ali Nizar ’Ali, Husam ’Ali Mulhim and Tarek Ghorani to be released immediately and unconditionally, as they appear to be prisoners of conscience held solely for the peaceful expression of their opinions ;
seeking assurances that ’Ali Nizar Mustafa, Husam ’Ali Mulhim and Tarek Ghorani will be well treated, and not tortured or ill-treated, while they are in custody ;
urging the authorities to allow ’Ali Nizar Mustafa, Husam ’Ali Mulhim and Tarek Ghorani immediate and unrestricted access to their families and lawyers, and also any medical treatment they may need.
APPEALS TO :
His Excellency Bashar al-Assad
President
al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax : + 963 11 332 3410
Salutation:Your Excellency
His Excellency General Hassan Ali Turkmani
Minister of Defence
Ministry of Defence
Omayyad Square
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Salutation:Your Excellency
His Excellency Walid Mu’allim
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax : + 963 11 3327620
Salutation:Your Excellency
Ambassade de la République Arabe Syrienne
Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 3
1050 Bruxelles
Fax : 02.646.40.18
Email : ambsyrie skynet.be
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 April 2006.
