The arbitrary detention of DI member Mr. Mustafa Ismail in Syria in 2009 had caused great concern among our members worldwide.
DI promoted a joint action against the authorities’ oppression on human rights supporters and called on the authorities for Mr. Ismail’s immediate and unconditional release. On June 2, 2011, he was released and welcomed home by his wife, children, and friends.
Detailed DI Campaign Report:
Latest News:
- On June 2, 2011, Mr. Ismail was released. DI underlines that no further action is needed.
- DI wishes to congratulate Mr. Ismail and his family on this much waited release, as well as its members and all human rights activitsts who were engaged in the global effort to bring freedom back to this great writer.
- On May 3, 2010, the second military investigation judge in Aleppo issued the following accusations against Mr. Mustafa Ismail:
* Undertaking “acts, writings, or speech unauthorized by the government that expose Syria to the danger of belligerent acts or that disrupt Syria’s ties to foreign states” under Article 278 of the Syrian Penal Code SPC;
* Undertaking “acts, speech, writings or other means to cut off part of Syrian land to join it to another country,” under Article 267 of the SPC; and
* Joining a “political or social organization or an international group without the permission of the government,” under Article 288 of the SPC.
* In April 2010, Dr. Widad nominated Mr. Ismail for a Hellman/Hammett grant, and the Selection Committee decided to grant him $3,000US. The Hellman/Hammett grants, funded by the estate of American playwright Lillian Hellman, are designed for writers who have been victims of political persecution and are in financial need. They are intended to help focus attention on repression and censorship around the world.
Campaign Status: Closed
Published: 14 December 2009
Name: Mustafa Ismail
Sex: Male
Authorities: Syrian
Category: Fear of torture or ill-treatment / incommunicado detention / prisoners of conscience
The Case:
According to information received on 14 December 2009, Mr. Mustafa Ismail was arrested on December 12, 2009. Mr. Ismail is a poet, a prominent blogger, and has contributed articles to numerous Arabic-speaking websites.
It is believed that his arrest was due to his writing. He is also believed to be detained incommunicado which puts him at risk of torture and/or other forms of ill-treatment.
DI Views & Demands:
Defend International (DI) condemns Syrian authorities’ wave of arrests and intimidation against members of civil society, including journalists and bloggers.
DI calls on the Syrian authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Mustafa Ismail. DI highlights that Mr. Ismail is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions in line with his fundamental human rights to freedom of expression.
DI urges Syrian authorities to:
- Provide immediate guarantees that Mr. Mustafa Ismail will not be subjected to torture or otherwise ill-treated in accordance with the fact that Syria is a State party to the United Nations Convention against Torture.
- Ensure that all civil society activists in Syria would be able to conduct their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of arbitrary detention, torture or ill-treatment or other human rights violations.
The incidents of harassment, intimidation and arrests are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration in particular outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.
DI campaign:
Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.
With thanks and appreciation
Defend International
ـــــــــــــــــ
His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 332 3410
Your Excellency,
Hereby I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Mustafa Ismail, who has reportedly been detained on 12 December 2009 in Aleppo. His arrest has caused great concern among writers, journalists and human rights defenders worldwide.
I am concerned that he is being held incommunicado, putting him at risk of torure and other kinds of ill-treatment. I urge you to provide immediate guarantees that Mr. Mustafa Ismail will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated.
Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Mustafa Ismail is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions in line with his fundamental human rights to freedom of expression. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally.
It is my hope that Your Excellency will ensure that all civil society activists in Syria would be able to conduct their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of detention, torture or ill-treatment or other human rights violations.
I wish to underline that Mr. Mustafa Ismail has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
———————–
His Excellency Major Sa’id Mohamed Samour
Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior
Abdul Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 2223428
Your Excellency,
Hereby I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Mustafa Ismail, who has reportedly been detained on 12 December 2009 in Aleppo. His arrest has caused great concern among writers, journalists and human rights defenders worldwide.
I am concerned that he is being held incommunicado, putting him at risk of torure and other kinds of ill-treatment. I urge you to provide immediate guarantees that Mr. Mustafa Ismail will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated.
Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Mustafa Ismail is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions in line with his fundamental human rights to freedom of expression. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally.
It is my hope that Your Excellency will ensure that all civil society activists in Syria would be able to conduct their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of detention, torture or ill-treatment or other human rights violations.
I wish to underline that Mr. Mustafa Ismail has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
———————–
His Excellency Dr. Mohsen Bilal
Ministry of Information
Al-Mezze Avenue, Baath House
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 661 7665
Your Excellency,
Hereby I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Mustafa Ismail, who has reportedly been detained on 12 December 2009 in Aleppo. His arrest has caused great concern among writers, journalists and human rights defenders worldwide.
I am concerned that he is being held incommunicado, putting him at risk of torure and other kinds of ill-treatment. I urge you to provide immediate guarantees that Mr. Mustafa Ismail will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated.
Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Mustafa Ismail is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions in line with his fundamental human rights to freedom of expression. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally.
It is my hope that Your Excellency will ensure that all civil society activists in Syria would be able to conduct their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of detention, torture or ill-treatment or other human rights violations.
I wish to underline that Mr. Mustafa Ismail has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
———————–
Syrians Ambassad
P.O. Box 4
18211 Danderyd
Sweden
E-mail: info@syrianembassy.se
Your Excellency,
Hereby I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Mustafa Ismail, who has reportedly been detained on 12 December 2009 in Aleppo. His arrest has caused great concern among writers, journalists and human rights defenders worldwide.
I am concerned that he is being held incommunicado, putting him at risk of torure and other kinds of ill-treatment. I urge you to provide immediate guarantees that Mr. Mustafa Ismail will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated.
Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Mustafa Ismail is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions in line with his fundamental human rights to freedom of expression. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally.
It is my hope that Your Excellency will ensure that all civil society activists in Syria would be able to conduct their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of detention, torture or ill-treatment or other human rights violations.
I wish to underline that Mr. Mustafa Ismail has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
Acknowledgement
Art work by DI member Mr. Kane Alan