In solidarity with the former MP Riad Saif

Ahed Al Hendi, Tharwa

A group of Syrian activists have launched a statement in solidarity with the former MP Riad Saif, asking liberals across the world to stand together against the dangerous travel ban that is threatening the life of Mr. Saif.

This story was published on the front page of the Lebanese newspaper Al-mustaqbal on Wednesday August 15, 2007. Among the most prominent signatories of the statement were: Mamoun Homsi, former Syrian MP, Khalil Hussein, Director of the Syrian Association for Human Rights and Civil Society, Burhan Ghalioun, Director of the Centre d'Etudes sur l'Orient Contemporain (CEOC) in Paris and professor of political sociology at the Universite de Paris (La Sorbonne).

Five organizations in Damascus have appealed to President Bashar Assad about this case and asked him to personally intervene for humanitarian reasons and allow Mr. Saif to travel outside the country to receive urgent medical treatment for advanced prostate cancer . Additionally, they have asked President Asad to prevent the Syrian security from issuing travel bans, confirming that this penalty - commonly used against activists and opponents of the regime - is unconstitutional and unsanctioned by Syrian law.

After the authorities prevented him from leaving the country, Mr.Saif appealed to human rights organizations so that he could receive his medical treatment. "After reaching a dead-end, I have no alternative but to appeal to all those who are interested in human rights issues in Syria and in the world, and I am hoping it will help me get my natural and legitimate right to receive medical treatment abroad," Saif said.