| Return to
opening page for further information and viewing conditions. |
||
Syria steps up activist arrestsSyrian authorities arrested one of the most prominent human rights activists in the country, lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, and five other activists on Wednesday. This week nine people have been arrested in what human rights groups describe as the largest crackdown on activists in years; they fear the situation is worsening in Syria once again. Lawyer Anwar al-Bunni was dragged away from his home in Damascus by security police while his family and neighbours watched. His brother later said the lawyer was forced into a car while shouting for help. Al-Bunni has been arrested several times before, after calling for democratic reform in Syria and after defending the rights of detainees and the oppressed Kurdish minority. Crackdown Still, pressure groups and Syria-watchers are worried about deteriorating human rights in Syria. Amnesty International last month criticised the government after it indicated that Damascus had stepped up its arrests of human rights activists and critics. The National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria commented that this week's arrests were part of an organised campaign to crackdown on activists, the largest since a similar move in September 2001. Promises This crackdown ended what is known as the Damascene Spring, that started shortly after president Bashar al-Assad came to power following the death of his father, the dictator Hafaz al-Assad. The new president held out the promise of press freedom and the release of political prisoners. The promise was indeed followed by the setting free of dozens of political detainees and the publication of the country's first uncensored newspaper. Last year, a similar process occurred, after UN-investigators found evidence linking Syria to the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. That resulted in international outrage against Syria and pressure from the United Nations. Syria watcher, Robert Soeterik explains: "With mounting pressure on the Syrian government and the whole world watching, Damascus loosened the reins." Financial support Again, dissidents were released from prison and for the first time Syria agreed on financial support to civil society. With European money, the National Organisation for Human Rights opened its office in Damascus and al-Bunni became director. But the authorities closed down the office, officially because it didn't have the right permit; one of the first signs that the Syrian government was tightened the reins again. Shortly after that, dissidents who had been released were arrested, once more. Robert Soeterik explains: "The pressure on the Syrian government had lessened, partly because the international community was shifting its focus more and more towards Iran." According to Soeterik, the Syrian government also became nervous of all the initiatives of the opposition and of human rights activists, such as the EU-sponsored human rights office. The London-based Arab Press Freedom Watch also says 'the Baath regime seems to have lost patience with the growing voices of the opposition of detention.' Other analysts blame the latest crackdowns on the cabinet reshuffle, last February, which resulted in the appointment of the former head of Syrian military police as minister of interior. Petition Al-Bunni's arrest, last Wednesday, followed his public condemnation of the arrest of prominent writer and democracy campaigner Michel Kilo, who was detained on Sunday. Human rights organisations say Bunni, Kilo and the other activists were arrested for signing a petition for an improvement in relations with Lebanon. Five hundred Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals called in the petition for Syrian recognition of Lebanon's independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two neighbours. State media have condemned the petition, saying it contains lies 'which would never convince any rational person.' But the UN Security Council has this week also urged Syria to establish formal diplomatic ties with Lebanon. Nicolien den Boer
19-05-2006
See also Where does terrorism start - an academic view Who is reporting the truth from the Lebanon? Is Syria next for Bush? On Islamic Intolerance |
||
| meditations |
top |
|