The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
Case SYR 220699 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Syria. Brief description of the situation The International Secretariat has just been informed of the grave concern for the physical and psychological integrity and the life of a detainee, Mrs. Douha Ashour Al-Askari in Syria. According to the Committees for the Defence of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria, member of the OMCT network, Mrs. Al- Askari was arrested in 1993. In 1994, she was brought to trial and sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the State Security High Court, on charges of membership of the political party Douha Comunist Action.. In the beginning of her detention, she gave birth to a child, from who she was separated. According to the information received, although she has completed her sentence (4 months ago), the Syrian authorities continue to hold her in detention. Mrs. Al-Askari has been on hunger strike for more that 10 days, in protest against her arbitrary detention. The International Secretariat of OMCT shares the concerns of the Committees for the Defence of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria for the life and the physical and psychological integrity of Mrs. Douha Ashour Al-Askari and calls upon the Syrian authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally. Action requested Please write to the Syrian authorities urging them to i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mrs. Douha Ashour Al-Askari and release herimmediately and unconditionally; ii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive inquiry into her arbitrary detention, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law; iii.ensure in all circumstance respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards. Addresses His Excellency, President Hafez al-Assad, Presidential Palace, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic His Excellency, Mahmoud Zuabi, Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic His Excellency Dr Muhammad Harba, Minster of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior Merjeh Circle, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, Fax+ 963 11 222 3428 Geneva, June 22 1999