Canada
Syria: Arwad Al-Boushi
Amnesty International has recently learned that Syrian-born Canadian national Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi (spelling corrected) received a grossly unfair trial in July 2003 at which he was apparently sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. He was reportedly tortured during the 12 months he was detained awaiting trial. Amnesty International believes he may be a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the non-violent expression of his political beliefs.
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He was apparently jailed for his membership of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB): he told the court that he had been a peaceful member of this outlawed opposition group more than 24 years ago, and had severed all links with the organisation before he left Syria for Canada in about 1980.
He was tried by a Field Military Court (FMC), whose procedures fall far short of international standards for fair trials: defendants have no legal representation, and scant opportunity to defend themselves; the courts' decisions are binding and not subject to appeal; trials before an FMC usually take place over two very brief sessions, and it often appears that the verdict has been decided before the trial begins. Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi was not told what his sentence was but believes it to be 12 years because his case file was seen in a pile of case files of MB members, who are often given 12-year sentences. Other sources believe he was handed down a seven- or eight-year sentence.
He is serving his sentence in Sednaya Prison, to the north of the capital, Damascus, in the section commonly known as the “Muslim Brotherhood Wing” which holds scores of long-term political prisoners. Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi is reportedly depressed, and has asked to be transferred from that section because it holds so many prisoners traumatised and suffering mental illness after suffering torture and ill-treatment with little chance of being released.
Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi was arrested on 3 July 2002 (not 20 July 2002 as given previously). He has been allowed monthly visits from his mother since May this year, and was finally allowed visits from Canadian Consular officials in November 2003. There have reportedly been no Consular visits since July 2004.
Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi had been arrested on arrival at Damascus airport, when he returned to Syria to visit his father, who was critically ill. He was released on 25 August 2002, and attended his father’s funeral, but was arrested again two weeks later, shortly before he was to return to Saudi Arabia, where he had been working since 1996.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Only nine parties – the ruling Ba'ath party and its eight coalition partners – are allowed to operate in Syria. All others, including the Muslim Brotherhood, are banned. The organisation continued to function underground, but members were subject to arrest and imprisonment. From the late 1970s the Muslim Brotherhood was involved in armed clashes with government forces, and in July 1980 a law was passed which imposed the death penalty on its members. Many supporters and sympathisers, and their families, fled the country. In 1986 the then leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr Hasan Huweydi, officially renounced violence. In recent years, and particularly after the Jordanian government became less hospitable towards sympathisers of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country, a number of its leaders left the country. Many members, supporters and sympathisers of the organisation, and their relatives, have been arrested on their return to Syria, whether voluntary or forced, even after receiving consent to return from the Syrian authorities. Many of these detainees have reportedly been tortured and ill-treated, several have "disappeared", and at least one died in custody in March 2002 while held incommunicado.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Arabic, French or your own languageA: To the Syrian authorities:
- expressing concern at reports that Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi has been tortured and ill-treated and requesting that the reports be investigated, that anyone responsible be brought to justice, and that any information obtained as a result of torture be discounted;B: To the Canadian authorities:
- expressing concern that Arwad Muhammad 'Izzat Al-Boushi has been unfairly tried and appears to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the non-violent expression of his beliefs, and urging that he be released immediately and unconditionally or else immediately charged with a recognisably criminal offence and retried in fair proceedings;
- requesting that Arwad Muhammad ‘Izzat Al-Boushi be provided any medical assistance – including psychiatric treatment - that he may require as a result of his detention and reported torture and ill-treatment;
- urging the authorities to allow him regular access to Canadian Consular officials without Syrian officials being present.
SEND APPEALS TO:
President Bashar al-Assad
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh
al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 3410
Salutation: Your Excellency
His Excellency Major General Ghazi Kan’an
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of Interior
Merjeh Circle
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 222 3428
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
His Excellency Ahmad Farouk Arnous
Ambassador for the Syrian Arab Republic
151 Slater Street, Suite 1000
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3
Fax: (613) 569-3800
Email: syrianembassy@on.aibn.com
- urging that the concerns above be raised with the Syrian authorities at the highest level.
APPEALS TO:
The Honorable Pierre Pettigrew
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0G2
Canada
Fax: + 1 613 996 9709
Salutation: Dear Minister
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the Canadian Section (English Speaking Branch) of Amnesty International, if sending appeals after November 30 2004.