MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights in Syria: in particular the case of Haythan Al-Maleh
7.9.2010
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Charles Tannock, Adam Bielan, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Antoni Legutko on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0511/2010
B7‑0516/2010
European Parliament resolution on human rights in Syria: in particular the case of Haythan Al-Maleh
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,
– having regard to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, which was ratified by Syria in 1969,
– having regard to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984, which was ratified by Syria in 2004,
– having regard to the European Union Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders of 2004,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Syria, in particular those of 8 September 2005 on political prisoners in Syria, 15 June 2006 on human rights violations in Syria, 24 May 2007 on human rights in Syria and 16 September 2009 on the case of Muhannad al-Hassani,
– having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Syrian Arab Republic, of the other part, is still to be signed and ratified; whereas Article 2 of this Agreement stipulates that respect for human rights and democratic principles guide the internal and international policy of the parties and constitute an essential element of the Agreement,
B. whereas Haytham Al-Maleh, a 79 year old prominent Syrian human rights lawyer was convicted by the Second Military Court of Damascus and sentenced to three years' imprisonment for “conveying within Syria false news that could debilitate the morale of the nation” and “weakening national sentiment”; whereas the charges arise from a television interview the lawyer gave in September 2009, where he criticized the lack of democracy, the excessive powers wielded by security officials and official corruption in Syria, and his published writings exposing human rights abuses,
C. whereas Al-Maleh has been arbitrarily arrested by officers of the General Intelligence Service on 14 October 2009 and detained in jail, during which time his lawyers were not allowed to meet him without prior authorisation from the Syrian Bar Association,
D. whereas the Emergency Law in force since 1963 is effectively limiting citizens in the exercise of their civil and political rights,
E. whereas according to the Human Rights Watch, Syria’s poor human rights situation deteriorated further in 2009, as the authorities arrested political and human rights activists, censored websites, detained bloggers, imposed travel bans and Syria’s multiple security agencies continue to detain people without arrest warrants.
1. Strongly condemns the decision of the Damascus Second Military Court to convict Haytham Al-Maleh, and to sentence him to three years' imprisonment;
2. Calls for the immediate release of. Al Maleh and others human rights defenders: Al Hassani and Al-Abudullah;
3. Is particularly concerned by the situation of Mr. Al Maleh, due to his fragile health and advanced age;
4. Expresses its concern about harassment of human rights defenders in Syria, including a ban on travel, arbitrary detention and, in this case, using the Bar Association to punish human rights lawyers for their legitimate work in defence of human rights;
5. Calls upon the Syrian authorities to abide by international human rights standards as expressed in the Barcelona Declaration and other international instruments to which the Syrian Arab Republic is a State party;
6. Calls on the Syrian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Syria are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment;
5. Calls on the Syrian authorities to ensure the transparent functioning of the judicial system, with special regard to the Supreme State Security Court;
7. Welcomes the continuing dialogue between the European Union and Syria and hopes that the continuous efforts will lead to improvements not only in the economic and social situation in Syria but also politically and in the field of human rights;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Government and Parliament of the Syrian Arab Republic.