The Observatory (a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) andthe World Organisation Against Torture) has learned of the acquittal of Mr Walid Al Bunni, a member of the Association of Human Rights in Syria and member of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change (NCDD). The Observatory remains deeply concerned by Mr. Al Bunni's ongoing arbitrary detention and the continued judicial harassment he faces in prison, which seems intended to punish him for his human rights activities.

Statement by The Observatory

According to the information received, on June 17, 2009, the Second Military Criminal Court in Damascus acquitted Mr. Walid Al Bunni, due to lack of evidence, after he had been accused by a prison inmate of having uttered insulting remarks about the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (charged with the investigation into the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the Syrian President, the Head of the division of military intelligence, as well as about Syrian-Lebanese relations.

However, the Observatory recalls that Mr. Walid Al Bunni remains detained in Adra Prison since December 17, 2007 following his involvement in the NCDD, a collective pro-rights and pro-democracy movement comprising more than 160 Syrian political activists, human rights defenders, intellectuals and artists, which met on December 1, 2007 to follow-up on the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change of October 16, 2005.

After publishing its concluding statement the NCDD was subject to crackdown by the authorities. Starting on December 9, 2007, 40 of its members were arbitrarily arrested by the Syrian State Security Intelligence.

Twelve of them, including Mr Walid Al Bunni, were convicted on October 29, 2008 to two and a half years of prison, and remain detained as of today.

The Observatory is deeply concerned by Mr. Al Bunni's ongoing arbitrary detention and the continued judicial harassment he faced in prison, which seem to aim at sanctioning his human rights activities.

The Observatory therefore urges the Syrian authorities to order the release of Al-Bunni and the members of the NCCD since their detention is arbitrary.

Background Information

On May 13 and 28, 2009, the Second Military Criminal Court in Damascus tried Mr. Walid Al Bunni for "weakening the national sentiment" by "issuing calls" or "spreading false or exaggerated information" (respectively Article 285 and 286 of the Syrian Criminal Code), punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment.

On May 13, 2009, a first hearing took place, which was dedicated to the interrogation of Mr. Ashour Oqba, the inmate at Adra Prison, who accused Mr. Walid al-Bunni.

On May 28, 2009, several defence witnesses confirmed that the accusations made against Mr. Al Bunni were false. The hearing was then adjourned to June 7, 2009, at the request of the Prosecutor General.

The Observatory recalls that the appearance of Mr Al Bunni before a military court is illegal. The Syrian authorities should ensure that civilians are brought before a civil, competent and impartial tribunal, and that the right to a fair trial is guaranteed at all times, including the right of defence and the right of appeal.