FEBRUARY 05 NEWSLETTER
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Democratic Transformation in the Arab World

Violations of the Rule of Law in the Arab World

Syria Accused of Torture and Unfair Trials

There are mounting concerns among the international human rights community about the fate of political detainees in Syria. On February 15th 2005, fifteen Kurdish Syrians were sentenced to 2-3 year prison-terms. These men have been in detention since the mass arrests following clashes between Arabs and Kurds at the Quamishli football match in April 2004. The defense, as well as human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, claimed that the convictions were based on "confessions" extracted under torture. They allege that the trials were grossly unfair, conducted by the special Supreme State Security Court. Over the years, this court refused to investigate any of the hundreds of the allegations of torture and ill treatment.

Egypt Continues to Hold Thousands of Detainees Incommunicado

Following the Taba bombing in October of 2004, the Egyptian government conducted mass arrests in Northern Sinai without arrest warrants or judicial orders. Of the 2,400 people arrested only nine were formally charged while the rest simply held in detention. Until now, the government has not provided information on the whereabouts of these detainees either to their families or lawyers. On February 4th 2005, the government released some ninety detainees and promised that there will be more releases to follow, without providing any further details.

Tunisian Dissident Journalist Denied Medical Treatment

Journalist Abdullah Zouari served an eleven year prison sentence for criticizing the government's human right violations. Since his release in 2002 he was forced into exile to Zarzis, 500 kilometers from Tunis his hometown, where he is held under constant surveillance. In protest, Zouari has been on a hunger strike since January 23rd 2005. Due to his precarious health condition, on the 32nd day of his food strike he was rushed to the local Zarkis hospital. However, the cardiologist who has admitted Zouari, decided several hours later to sent him home, allegedly because of pressure from the government security forces. Despite its claims of respect for human rights and the freedom of media, the Tunisian authorities continue to use legal and extra-legal means to silence dissent.

Constitutional Reform Battles in the Arab World

Security Forces Break up Al-Ghad Meeting

On February 24th 2005, Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Party organized a conference at Pyramisa hotel in solidarity with Ayman Nour, the party's founder who was arrested and jailed since the end of January for allegedly forging proxy powers of attorney that enabled the licensing of his party. The conference was to focus on constitutional reform. As soon as Jamila Ismail, Nour's wife, rose to speak twenty-two men barged in and began hurling insults at the panelists. When Nour's assistant Wael Nawara attempted to restore order, the men physically attacked him and two other party leaders. Nawara claimed that he has received several warnings prior to the conference from security forces to cancel the gathering and leave the country. It seems probable that this violent incident came as a response to the Party's refusal to submit to the demands of the security forces. Thus the conference was disrupted while the hotel police watched without any attempt to quell the violence.

Bahraini Opposition Calls for Constitutional Reform

On February 24th, the Leftist National Democratic Action Association, the Islamic National Accord Association, the Nationalist Democratic Rally, and the Islamic Action Association launched the second annual conference to address a popular petition calling for constitutional reform in the kingdom. Thus far 75,000 citizens signed the petition requesting King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to amend the constitution. However the Bahraini Royal Court has refused to accept the petition. In addition, as a result of their activism, the four groups face continuous threats of dissolution.

Lebanese Opposition Calls for Syrian Withdrawal

Former Prime Minister Hariri's assassination sparked widespread protests by the Lebanese opposition claiming Syrian involvement and calling for the withdrawal of Syrian forces stationed in Lebanon since 1976 and for an end to Syrian dominance over Lebanon. On February 20th 2005, tens of thousands of protesters gathered at the largest demonstration that Lebanon has ever witnessed to demand the withdrawal of the 14,000 troops still stationed in the country. The international community, including the United Nations and Presidents Bush and Chirac, has also demanded an end to the Syrian presence in Lebanon. After meeting with Bashar Al-Assad, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa claimed that Damascus agreed to withdraw troops in line with the1989 Taif Accord that permitted Syrian troops in Lebanon to terminate its civil war and provide the needed stability to rebuild the Lebanese state. The Accord calls for a phased withdrawal of Syrian troops, without specifying a particular timetable. After 16 years the Syrian troops remain in Lebanon. In fact, Syria treats Lebanon as if it was an integral part of its territories. To illustrate, although most of Lebanese presidents had paid many visits to Syria, the Syrian president had never visited Lebanon. Moreover, the two states have not yet exchange diplomatic missions meaning that there is no Syrian Embassy in Lebanon and vice versa. Therefore, one may claim that Syria considers Lebanon a mere Syrian colony which has no sovereignty.