Condemnations

Arab reactions to Syria’s Parliamentary (s)elections.

(You know you are in trouble when other Arab countries end up criticizing your farcical elections.)

AMMAN, Jordan April 24 (UPI) --

Jordan's al-Ghad commented Tuesday on the Syrian legislative election, saying it was a "humiliating defeat" for the ruling Baath Party because its representatives will obviously win by a landslide in a vote controlled by a totalitarian regime. The independent daily added in an opinion piece the Syrian regime could have avoided this "defeat" by not allowing real democratic elections "because this would mean the regime will come out of its skin and behave against its nature, opening the door for its exit, which is impossible." It opined the best way to have avoided such a defeat was by not holding cosmetic elections that no longer fool anyone by a regime that behaves in totalitarian ways; "no elections and no time wasted." The mass-circulation paper insisted the polls shouldn't have been held to avoid "dwelling into a tragedy that sheds light on the truth that Syria is ruled by a regime that doesn't suffice with its containment within an alley of repression and dictatorship, but wanted a play to cover this truth. What a sad joke." It said it is a "disaster" that the Syrian regime continues to believe it can trick its people that they have a right to choose their leaders. "It is the absolute power," it said. "It's unlimited arrogance and disregard for the feelings of the people under the false pretence of assurances provided in the prisons and rifles. It is the elections of the Baath; elections that can only end in loss

Kuwait's al-Seyassah said a few weeks ago the elections in Mauritania ended in total freedom and respect for human rights, making the polls the most free in the Arab world, along with the Palestinian and Lebanese elections. It also referred to the French presidential elections, saying candidates represent all political sectors, yet the French flag was raised throughout. The pro-government daily added in a commentary the Syrian legislative elections, on the other hand, represent everything except the people, where the Baathists retain the absolute majority in power and resources. "Yes, there are election campaigns ... but they cannot be nominated and win without a ruling party decision," it remarked. "Yes, there are newspapers and media, but they are all to serve the repressive regime that interferes in everything great and small in the life of the citizens who have no power to change this bitter reality," it stressed. The paper opined all that Syria has is "fear, repression, prisons and intelligence officers who monitor everything and every free word or opinion that calls for changing the current reality." There is everything in Syria, it added, except freedom, dignity, human respect and right to oppose without fear of prison.

EU Presidency statement on the sentencing of Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar Al-Bunni

24.04.2007

The Presidency expresses its regret that Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent Syrian human rights defender, was sentenced to five years of detention in Damascus on 24 April 2007 for having disseminated human rights-related material. The European Union is deeply concerned by the repeated harassment of human rights defenders in Syria.

The European Union calls on the Syrian Government to support and give full effect to the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus in December 1998.

The European Union reiterates its commitment to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the European Council in June 2004.

France concerned by jailing of Syrian human rights lawyer

EUP20070425950027 Paris AFP (Domestic Service) in French 1126 GMT 25 Apr 07

France concerned by jailing of Syrian human rights lawyer

Excerpt from report by French news agency AFP

Paris, 25 April 2007: France said today, Wednesday, that it was "extremely concerned" by the five-year prison term to which Syrian human rights lawyer and campaigner, Anwar al-Bunni, has been sentenced for "disseminating false reports".

"France is extremely concerned" by this sentence and "regrets this fresh violation of human rights in Syria," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei.

"The continuous instances of prosecuting defenders of human rights in Syria are deeply worrying," added the spokesman, noting the statement made to this effect by the EU presidency on Tuesday.

"France calls for respect for human rights in connection with the appeal process which could be launched," Mr Mattei concluded.

Maitre Al-Bunni, however, has declined to appeal against this verdict. "He takes the view that the court was not independent", his brother, writer Akram al-Bunni told AFP.

EU Presidency statement on the sentencing of Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar Al-Bunni

24.04.2007

The Presidency expresses its regret that Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent Syrian human rights defender, was sentenced to five years of detention in Damascus on 24 April 2007 for having disseminated human rights-related material. The European Union is deeply concerned by the repeated harassment of human rights defenders in Syria.

The European Union calls on the Syrian Government to support and give full effect to the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus in December 1998.

The European Union reiterates its commitment to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the European Council in June 2004.