Call to free the imprisoned Syrian human rights activist Kamal Labwani

The international community and civil society have another opportunity to defend the universal human rights of freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of thought.

Kamal Labwani, a 50 year-old physician and Syrian human rights activist is held behind bars in a Syrian prison after a scandalous “political trial”, sentencing him to 12 years in jail. The Syrian President, Bashar al Assad claims that Kamal Labwani ‘has encouraged an attack against Syria’ while having meetings with US officials in October and November 2005 and with EU officials here in Brussels. EFD helped Kamal Labwani organise the Brussels meetings and was present at each of them. His only crime was to speak up and voice his opinion against the authoritarian regime in his home country. At the same time he took every opportunity to advise anyone who would listen, both in public and in private, that he believed the use of force or sanctions against Syria would be utterly wrong.

Although he has appealed against his sentence, this procedure will only restate his ‘guiltiness’. To put it bluntly, the only possibility of Mr Labwani being freed depends exclusively on the reaction of the international community. So far, many have shown their support for him:

• European Parliament Resolution of 24 May 2007: The European Parliament ’expresses its great concern at the recent verdicts handed down to political prisoners and human rights activist in Syria. [...] Is deeply concern at the restrictions imposed on, and the charges made against, Mahmoud Issa, Fayek El Mir, Aref Dalila, Kamal Labwani, Michel Kilo, Suleiman Al-Shamar and Khalil Hussein for exercising their democratic rights and engaging in peaceful activities.


• Human Rights Watch moved to the same direction by stating that ‘What we are seeing today is another symbol of the peaceful opposition to the Assad regime being punished for their views’


• The US State Department condemned the trial as well: ‘We call upon the Syrian Government to live up to its obligations under the Arab Charter for Human Rights, which it ratified in February 2007, and immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience’.


• Amnesty International, in their statement condemning Mr Labawni’s sentence on 10 May stated: ‘According to Amnesty International’s information, the court ignored defence evidence during the trial showing that Kamal Labwani has repeatedly opposed any advocacy of US aggression against Syria. The judgment reflected once again how the justice system in Syria is not independent of the executive and how trials in the country fall short of international standards for fair trials. On hearing the sentence, Kamal Labwani reportedly expressed thanks for the support given to him inside and outside of the court and stated, “I accept the decision and consider it the greatest accolade I have ever received”.

During his detention since 8 November 2005, when he returned from abroad, Kamal Labwani has suffered beatings and ill-treatment.

The European Foundation for Democracy calls on all academics, politicians and friends of freedom worldwide to speak up and support Kamal Labwani and the democracy that is being endangered.