E-mail Discussion Lists Using Advocacy to Achieve Democratic Reform

DemocracyAlerts

From time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical.

To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html.

Amnesty International reports that on January 28, 2008, Syrian dissident, former parliamentarian, and long-time human rights advocate, Riad Seif, was arrested for attending a meeting of pro-democracy opposition groups.  Seif, who was released from prison only two years ago after a five-year sentence for organizing pro-democracy meetings, is 61 years old and in very poor health.  Many believe that sending Seif to prison is tantamount to sentencing him to death.

Amnesty International considers Seif  to be a prisoner of conscience, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.  Seif and 10 other Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change (DDDNC ) detainees are facing trial on charges of “weakening national sentiments” (under Article 285 of the Syrian Penal Code), “broadcasting false or exaggerated news which would affect the morale of the country” (Article 286), joining an “organization formed with the purpose of changing the financial or social status of the state” (Article 306), "inciting sectarian strife" (Article 307), and “joining a secret association” (Article 327).

In the late 1990s, as a parliamentarian, Seif focused on issues of transparency and corruption, eventually exposing corruption in the Syrian regime's inner circle.  He then also began establishing organizations dedicated to increasing civic consciousness.  One such organization was the Friends of Civil Society Forum.  In 1999, the regime denied the forum a license, a prerequisite for large gatherings in the repressive state, but Seif nevertheless convened the group and its better known successor organization, the National Dialogue Forum.   In 2000, Seif's pro-democracy political reform activities increased with more meetings and forums, and plans to establish a political party called the Social Peace Movement Party.  In February 2001, Seif was stripped of his parliamentary immunity and arrested.

Amnesty International recommends that concerned individuals please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Arabic, French or your own language:
- calling for the immediate release of Seif, and for all charges against him to be dropped, as they appear to be based solely on his peaceful exercise of his right to express his beliefs, as
granted by the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Syria is a state party;
- calling for Seif to be allowed to travel abroad immediately so that he can obtain necessary medical treatment;
- calling on the Syrian authorities to fulfill their obligation to ensure that Seif enjoys the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as set out in Article 12 of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR);
- urging the Syrian authorities to implement measures laid out in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which allow for “the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels."

Appeals should be sent to:
President
His Excellency Bashar al-Assad
Presidential Palace
al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 3410
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Health
His Excellency Dr Maher al-Husami
Ministry of Health
Majlis ash-Sha’b
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax : +963 11 3311114
E-mail: health-min@net.sy
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Justice
His Excellency Muhammad al-Ghafari
Ministry of Justice
Al-Nasr Street, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 666 2460
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Walid Mu’allim
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 3327620
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Syria accredited to your country.

For more information from Amnesty International, go to: www.amnesty.org/fr/alfresco_asset/31e75601-cf5b-11dc-8648-4760f58735f5/mde240052008eng.pdf

For more information from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, go to: www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC06.php?CID=1131