Human rights Lawyer from Syria convicted

Re: Sentencing of human rights defender Anwar al-Bunni

I am writing to express my grave concern following the sentencing of human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, founding member of the Syrian Human Rights Association, and who was also involved in a European Union sponsored project to establish a centre for human rights training in Damascus.

On 24 April 2007, Anwar al-Bunni was sentenced by the Damascus Criminal Court to five-year imprisonment under Article 286 of the Syrian Penal Code, for disseminating “false information harmful to the state” and membership of an illegal political organisation. He was also fined approximately US$2,000. Anwar al-Bunni was initially arrested on 17 May 2006 and has reportedly been detained without private access to his legal representatives at 'Adra prison, where it is reported he has been subjected to ill-treatment and beatings.

I believe that Anwar al-Bunni has been targeted on the basis of his peaceful and legitimate activities in defence of human rights, in particular his defence of the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Shortly before his arrest, Anwar al-Bunni signed a petition known as the “Beirut-Damascus Declaration” - signed by 300 Lebanese and Syrian intellectuals - calling for improved relations between the Governments of Syria and Lebanon.

I urge the Syrian authorities to:

1. Release Anwar al-Bunni immediately and unconditionally and quash his conviction, as Front Line believes he has been detained solely on account of his legitimate human rights activities; 2. Ensure that the treatment of Anwar al-Bunni, while in custody, adheres to all those conditions set out in the “Basic Principles for Treatment of Prisoners” adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990; 3. Ensure that Anwar al-Bunni is given access to family, lawyers and medical attention if required.

I respectfully remind you that 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 recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw attention to Article 6 (c) which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters.”

Yours sincerely,