Syria: Arbitrary Detention of Leading Human Rights Activist

Defend International (DI) has been informed by reliable sources of the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, a leading human rights activist in Syria.

DI believes that he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his peaceful human right activities.

Name: Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al.Rahman
Sex: Male
Age: 44
Authorities: Syrian
Category: Fear of torture or ill-treatment / incommunicado detention / prisoners of conscience

The case:
According to information received from Syria and United Kingdom, Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, leading human rights activist in Syria, was arrested on March 2, 2010 at his home in the city of Aleppo. He was detained by Syrian Military Intelligence in the presence of his family and a colleague.

He is believed to be detained incommunicado at the Military Intelligence branch in Aleppo which puts him at grave risk of torture and/or other forms of ill-treatment. Furthermore, he suffers from various health problems, including allergies and stomach ulcer.

Defend International believes that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his peaceful human right activities.

DI Demands:
Defend International calls upon the Syrian authorities to release Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman immediately and unconditionally unless he is charged with a recognizable criminal offence and given access to a fair judicial process that meets international standards.
As a state party to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Syria must uphold its obligations as defined in the Convention, including ensuring that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman will not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Defend International urges the Syrian authorities to make immediate arrangements for Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman to get access to a lawyer, to his family and to any medical treatment he might need.

DI campaign:
Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.

With thanks and appreciation

Defend International

____________________


His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 332 3410

Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, who was reportedly detained on 2 March 2010 at his home in Aleppo.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that Mr. Al-Rahman is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions. He must get access to a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party.

I wish you to remind the authorities in the Military Intelligence branch in Aleppo that Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,


-----------------------


His Excellency
Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior
Abdul Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 2223428



Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, who was reportedly detained on 2 March 2010 at his home in Aleppo.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that Mr. Al-Rahman is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions. He must get access to a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party.

I wish you to remind the authorities in the Military Intelligence branch in Aleppo that Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,


-----------------------


His Excellency Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Al-Nasr Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 666 2460


Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, who was reportedly detained on 2 March 2010 at his home in Aleppo.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that Mr. Al-Rahman is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions. He must get access to a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party.

I wish you to remind the authorities in the Military Intelligence branch in Aleppo that Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,



-----------------------


His Excellency Walid Mu’allim
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 7620


Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, who was reportedly detained on 2 March 2010 at his home in Aleppo.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Abdul Al-Rahman is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that Mr. Al-Rahman is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions. He must get access to a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party.

I wish you to remind the authorities in the Military Intelligence branch in Aleppo that Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,

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