Prisoners being held without trial in Syria

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1594/06

by Paulo Casaca (PSE)

to the Commission

 

Subject:            Prisoners being held without trial in Syria

 

The Assyrian Democratic Organisation has forwarded me an appeal concerning the situation of Yacoub Hanna Shamoun, who has been held for over 20 years in the Al-Saydnais prison in Syria.

 

Yacoub Hanna Shamoun and his brother Fawaz were arrested in July 1985, allegedly because they had not done their military service.

 

While Fawaz was released in 1996, 11 years after his arrest, without ever even having been tried, Yacoub continues to be held without trial.

 

Such situations violate not only the most elementary human rights, but also the international agreements signed by Syria, and call into question all the Syrian Government’s statements about the ways in which it has improved its legal system.

 

Is the Commission in possession of information about Yacoub Hanna Shamoun and his situation?

 

What steps does it intend to take with regard to this specific case, and other cases of violation of human rights by Syria?

 

 

E-1594/06EN

Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner

on behalf of the Commission

(22.5.2006)

 

 

The Commission is closely monitoring the human rights situation in Syria and is aware of the Assyrian Democratic Organisation?s concerns surrounding the detention of Mr Yacoub Hanna Shamoun.

 

The Commission and Member States raise the situation of prisoners and detainees with the Syrian authorities on a regular basis. The EU systematically observes the trials at the State Security Court and the Military Court. The EU has also raised with Syria the question of arrests without trial and is monitoring closely the commitments of the Government on this issue.