Syria: Violent repression of the riot at the military Sidnaya prison: open letter to Mr Bashar El Assad
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 9 July 2008 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Syria: Violent repression of the riot at the military Sidnaya prison: open letter to Mr Bashar El Assad, 9 July 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48a2a90923.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
9/07/2008
Mr Bashar El Assad,
President of the Syrian Arab Republic
Paris, 8 July 2008
Excellency,
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is writing to you to express its utmost concern regarding the violent repression of the riot at the military Sidnaya prison by the Syrian military police, on 5 and 6 July, 2008.
According to the information received, the violent clashes which took place in Sidnaya prison between detainees and prison guards who allegedly received the support of an anti-terrorism police unit, killed several people and wounded many others. FIDH has been informed that police officers in a helicopter fired upon rioters who were isolated on prison's roof. No official information is available on the number and the identity of persons killed and wounded, including those who have been transferred to hospital. Families of detainees are still not allowed to go to the hospital and obtain information about their relatives. Communication lines are still cut throughout the area and access to the prison area is restricted.
FIDH urges the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic to launch an independent investigation into these events, to take measures to ensure that law enforcement officers act in compliance with international standards and to put an end to disproportionated use of force, in all circumstances.
FIDH also calls upon the Syrian authorities to indicate without delay, the number and the identity of the killed and the wounded and make sure that their families are duly informed.
FIDH hopes that you will take those elements into consideration and looks forward to your prompt reply.
Yours sincerely,
Souhayr Belhassen
President of FIDH
