\nURGENT ACTION\n<\/p>\n
\nSYRIAN ACTIVIST AT SERIOUS RISK OF TORTURE<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nSyrian activist, Anas al-Shogre, has been detained \nAccording to a Syrian human rights activist, Anas al-Shogre, \nThe Syrian authorities have not said where he is being held. \nThe Syrian authorities have not revealed the reasons for \nPlease write immediately in Arabic, English, French or your \n <\/span>Express \n <\/span>Express \n <\/span>Urge the <\/p>\n \nPLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 16 AUGUST 2011 TO:\n<\/p>\n \n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nPresident\n<\/p>\n \nBashar al-Assad <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nPresidential Palace\n<\/p>\n \nal-Rashid Street <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nDamascus, Syrian Arab Republic <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nFax: +963 11 332 3410\n<\/p>\n \nSalutation: Your Excellency\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nMinister of Foreign Affairs\n<\/p>\n \nWalid al-Mu’allim <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nMinistry of Foreign Affairs\n<\/p>\n \nal-Rashid Street\n<\/p>\n \nDamascus, Syrian Arab Republic <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nFax: +963 11 214 6251\n<\/p>\n \nSalutation: Your Excellency\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nAlso send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to \nName Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email \nPlease check with your section office if sending appeals \n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nURGENT ACTION\n<\/p>\n \nSYRIAN ACTIVIST AT SERIOUS RISK OF TORTURE\n<\/p>\n \nADDITIONAL INFORMATION\n<\/p>\n \nMass protests calling for political reform and the overthrow \nAccording to reports from Syrian human rights activists and \nBBC: http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=R_Bmi5Fu6EA&feature=player_embedded<\/a>\n<\/p>\n
\nincommunicado since his arrest on the night of 14-15 May, apparently for
\ncalling for and leading protests in the coastal city of Banias, Syria. He is at
\nserious risk of torture and other ill-treatment.\n<\/p>\n
\na 23-year-old university student, was arrested while in hiding during a
\nsecurity operation in Banias that started on 7 May. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nOne of his brothers who is living outside Syria told Amnesty International that
\nthe family learned from some former detainees, who were also arrested during
\nthe security operation in Banias and later released, that Anas al-Shogre was
\nbeing held in solitary confinement at the Military Security branch in the city
\nof Tartus, south of Banias. The former detainees alleged that he was later
\ntransferred to the State Security branch in Damascus. They also informed Anas
\nal-Shogre’s family that while in the Military Security branch they heard him
\nscream “I don’t want to live, let me die”, raising fears he was being tortured
\nor otherwise ill-treated. His family visited that branch and asked for him on a
\nnumber of occasions. Military Security personnel confirmed that he was being
\nheld at a security branch, but said they had no right to ask about him while he
\nwas held in such an establishment and refused to provide further details.\n<\/p>\n
\nAnas al-Shogre’s arrest, but Addounia, a private TV channel perceived to be
\nclose to the authorities, reportedly announced that the purpose of the security
\noperation in Banias was to arrest the “terrorist” Anas al-Shogre who leads an
\n“armed group”. His family and local human rights activists believe, however,
\nthat Anas al-Shogre’s arrest is related to his involvement in calling for and
\nleading protests in the city of Banias and for reporting to the media,
\nincluding BBC Arabic, on human rights violations that were committed by the
\nSyrian authorities in that city. Amnesty International believes that Anas
\nal-Shogre may be a prisoner of conscience detained for peacefully exercising
\nhis rights to freedom of expression and assembly.\n<\/p>\n
\nown language:\n<\/p>\n
\nconcern that Anas al-Shogre has been held incommunicado since 14-15 May, and
\ncall for him to be fully protected against possible torture or other
\nill-treatment; <\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nconcern that Anas al-Shogre is being held for calling for and leading protests
\nin Banias and note that, if this is the case, Amnesty International would
\nconsider him a prisoner of conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising
\nhis rights to freedom of expression and assembly and call for his immediate and
\nunconditional release;\n<\/p>\n
\nSyrian authorities to take immediate steps to disclose the whereabouts of all
\ndetainees held in connection with ongoing protests, including Anas al-Shogre,
\nand to give them immediate access to lawyers of their choosing and their
\nfamilies and any medical treatment they need, and to safeguard them from
\ntorture and other ill-treatment.\n<\/p>\n
\nyour country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:\n<\/p>\n
\nEmail address Salutation Salutation <\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nafter the above date.\n<\/p>\n
\nof the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad started in Banias after midday prayers
\non Friday 18 March, when Anas al-Shogre reportedly gave a speech to worshippers
\ncalling on them to take to the streets to demand their freedom. He reportedly
\npledged: “I’m marching for freedom even if I had to do it on my own.” <\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nthe Local Coordination Committees in Syria (LCC), a network of local committees
\nresponsible for planning and organizing protests, Anas al-Shogre played a major
\nrole in organizing protests in his city and reporting on what was happening on
\nthe ground to the media. Below are links to two phone interviews he gave to BBC
\nArabic and Al Hiwar TV, a London-based Arabic-language channel:\n<\/p>\n