Fragments and Reflections

My friend Kamal was released from prison in 2012. He is now a member of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces.

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“Since Kamal Labwani was illegally imprisoned by the Syrian regime in Adra Prison, in 2005, numerous of our democratically elected representatives have raised his plight in our national and international parliaments. I have trawled through the websites of the European Parliament and the UK Parliament to consolidate the various representations in one place. If you have any suggestions for additions, or have ideas for questions that should be pursued, please email me.”

Ben Williams, 13 February 2010

The case of Kamal Labwani raised with Downing Street

18 November 2009

Petition on the number 10 website regarding the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to demand that the Syrian regime release all political prisoners, including Kamal al-Labwani, human rights lawyers and Damascus Declaration activists, currently detained in contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a signatory, prior to the signing of the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement.”

The case of Kamal Labwani raised in Parliament

9 November 2009

Syria

Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he has made an assessment of the conditions in which Kamal al-Labwani is being detained in Syria; and if he will make a statement; [296471]

(2) whether he has received reports on the disappearance of human rights lawyer Haythem al-Maleh in Syria on 17 October 2009; and if he will make a statement; [296472]

(3) what recent assessment he has made of Syria’s record on human rights, with particular reference to (a) civil and (b) political rights; and if he will make a statement; [296473]

(4) what recent reports he has received on (a) numbers of people detained by the Syrian government and (b)compliance by the Syrian government with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in respect of such people; [296474]

(5) what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement in relation to Syria’s human rights record; and if he will make a statement; [296475]

(6) by what mechanisms the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement may be suspended in circumstances in which human rights violations are identified. [296476]

David Miliband: Syria’s human rights record is a cause for concern. In the past year we have seen a worrying deterioration. Critics of the Government, including those who call for peaceful democratic reform, and some individuals who have posted dissenting comments on internet blogs, have been imprisoned. Disappearances, travel bans and arbitrary detention are increasingly common. There are reports of torture during interrogation and deaths in police custody. We do not know how many people are in detention but we continue to press Syria to abide by its international obligations on human rights.

I share the hon. Member’s concern about the continued imprisonment of Dr. Labwani. He is currently held in Adra prison in Damascus in the same conditions as other prisoners, which are poor and involve sharing a cell. Dr. Labwani also suffers from serious medical condition which, given his medical expertise, he is reportedly treating himself having managed to obtain the necessary medication.

I am also concerned at the recent arrest of lawyer Haythem al-Maleh and, as we made clear in a Foreign and Commonwealth Office press statement on 19 October 2009, we call on the Syrian Government to release him.

I have raised my concerns with the Syrian Foreign Minister. Our embassy in Damascus, working with other EU missions, continues to press the Syrians to improve conditions in general as well as raising the cases of Dr. al-Labwani, Mr. al-Maleh and others of concern.

When the EU-Syria Association Agreement is in force, we will ensure that we use the dialogue established to press for action. Respect for human rights is an essential element of the agreement. The agreement provides that where a party considers that the other party is in breach of it obligations under the agreement it may take appropriate measures which could include suspension or termination of the Association Agreement.

21 October 2009

21 October 2009 – Early Day Motion (Edward Davey MP): EU-SYRIA EURO-MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

16 April 2007

Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what steps UK officials in Damascus are taking to monitor the ongoing detention of Dr Kamal al-Labwani. [131021]

Mr. Hoon: UK officials, together with their EU colleagues, attend the court cases of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani wherever possible. They are also in regular contact with Dr. al-Labwani’s lawyers and members of his family. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended Dr. al-Labwani’s latest court appearance on 10 April, at which the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. With EU partners We continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities.

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what her most recent assessment is of the conditions in which Dr. Kamal al-Labwani is being held; and if she will make a statement. [131332]

Mr. Hoon: Since his last court appearance, Dr. Kamal al-Labwani has been held in solitary confinement at Adra criminal prison. He was released from solitary confinement a few days before his court appearance on 10 April. At this appearance the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was also allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended the trial on 10 April and will continue to follow the progress of the case closely. With EU partners we continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities about human rights in Syria.

7 March 2007

Kamal Al-Labwani

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions representatives of the UK Government have been present at legal proceedings in Syria concerning Dr. Kamal al-Labwani; what assessment she has made of the legal proceedings; and if she will make a statement. [123739]

Margaret Beckett: Representatives of the Government have been present regularly at legal proceedings in Syria concerning Dr. Kamal al-Labwani.

Dr. Kamal al-Labwani, a Syrian national, is being detained at the Adra criminal prison. He was arrested in October 2005 on his return from the United States. He is being tried under article 264 of the Syrian Penal Code, accused of inciting a foreign power to commit an aggressive act against Syria. He is also accused of spreading lies and false information against the state.

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether representatives of the UK Government will attend future legal proceedings in Syria concerning Dr. Kamal al-Labwani; and if she will make a statement. [123740]

Margaret Beckett: Representatives of the EU and the US embassy in Damascus will continue to attend the trial of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani. An official from our embassy in Damascus attends the trial regularly as part of the EU delegation.

27 February 2007

Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received of the detention of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani by the Syrian government; what representations she has made to the Syrian government on this detention; and if she will make a statement. [122517]

Dr. Howells: Dr. Kamal al-Labwani is being detained at the Adra criminal prison. He was arrested in October 2005 on his return from the United States. He is being tried under article 264 of the Syrian penal code, accused of inciting a foreign power to commit an aggressive act against Syria. He is also accused of spreading lies and false information against the state.

Along with EU and other diplomatic missions, officials from our embassy in Damascus attend the court cases of Dr. al-Labwani. The EU has continued to make its concerns known to the Syrian authorities about human rights in Syria.

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received of the conditions of detention of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani by the Syrian government. [122518]

Dr. Howells: Dr. Kamal al-Labwani has been detained at the Adra criminal prison for more than a year. He was arrested in October 2005 on his return from a visit to the United States. He is being tried under article 264 of the Syrian penal code, accused of inciting a foreign power to commit an aggressive act against Syria. He is also accused of spreading lies and false information against the state.

We have been unable to verify what conditions Dr. al-Labwani is being held under, but conditions in the prison are likely to be difficult. Officials from our embassy in Damascus continue to monitor Dr. al-Labwani’s situation and attend court cases involving Dr. al-Labwani with their EU colleagues and other diplomatic missions.

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions she has discussed the detention of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani by the Syrian government with her counterparts in (a) the United States and (b) the European Union since his detention; what the outcome was of those discussions; and if she will make a statement. [122519]

Dr. Howells: I have not discussed the detention of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani with my counterparts in the US or EU, but my officials have done so with EU and US colleagues. Officials from our embassy in Damascus attend the court cases of Dr. al-Labwani with the EU and other diplomatic missions. We regularly raise our concerns about human rights in general with the Syrian government.

5 June 2006

Syria: Human Rights

Lord Alderdice asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What assessment they or the European Union have made of freedom of speech and association in Syria, which is a partner in the Barcelona process; and [HL5639]

What representations they are making to the Government of Syria about encouraging freedom of speech and association in Syria to enable it to meet its obligations under the Barcelona process; and [HL5640]

What steps they are taking to ensure the safety of human rights activists in Syria, in line with the shared values of the Barcelona process to which Syria is a partner; and [HL5641]

What steps they are taking, in line with the Barcelona process, to deter the Syrian authorities from detaining citizens who participate in conferences related to democratic reform; and [HL5642]

What is their response to reports by Amnesty International that human rights continue to be violated in Syria, a partner in the Barcelona process. [HL5644]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have serious concerns about Syria’s human rights record which we raise regularly both bilaterally and through the EU. With EU partners we monitor human rights cases closely, including through attendance at hearings and trials in the state security court and through contacts with the individuals, families and organisations affected. We make representations directly to the relevant authorities, which are in no doubt of our views.

On 19 May, the EU issued a statement highlighting the recent deterioration in the human rights situation. It expressed deep concern at the recent harassment of human rights defenders, arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detention. It also urged the Syrian authorities to reconsider all cases of political prisoners and release all prisoners of conscience. The full text of the statement is available on the EU website at www.eu2006.at/en/News/CFSP—Statements/May/1905Syria.html.

Lord Alderdice asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What steps they are taking to encourage the release of at least 300 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Syria, including democracy activist Kamal Labwani, in line with the Barcelona declaration. [HL5643]

Lord Triesman: There have been no developments in the trial of Dr Labwani, nor has the UK made any further representations to the Government of Syria since my honourable friend the Minister for the Middle East, Kim Howells, replied to a Written Question from the right honourable Sir Menzies Campbell in another place on 7 December 2005 (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 1397W). We continue to monitor developments in Dr Labwani’s case closely. We make representations directly to the Syrian authorities on all aspects of human rights, including the issue of political prisoners. In its statement of 19 May, the EU called on the Syrian authorities to reconsider all cases of political prisoners and immediately release all prisoners of conscience. The full text of the statement is available on the EU website at www.eu2006.at/en/News/CFSP—Statements/May/1905Syria.html.

23 March 2006

Syria

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) of 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1397W, on Syria, what developments there have been in the trial of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani in Syria; and whether further representations have been made by UK officials to the Government of Syria regarding his fair and proper treatment. [59843]

Mr. Straw: There have been no developments in the trial of Dr. Labwani, nor has the UK made any further representations to the Government of Syria since my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East gave the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) on 7 December 2005 Official Report, column 1397W. We will continue to monitor developments in Dr. Labwani’s case closely and are discussing with our European colleagues how to take forward representations on this issue.

7 December 2005

Syria

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations (a) he and (b) his officials have made to the Government of Syria regarding the safety, proper treatment and fair trial of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani; and if he will make a statement. [33935]

Dr. Howells: Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have raised the case of Dr. al-Labwani with the Syrian Government. However, our ambassador in Damascus has raised Dr. Labwani’s case with the Syrian authorities, and, in our capacity as Presidency of the EU, led calls for his early release. We will continue to monitor developments closely.

11 November 2005

11 November 2005 – Early Day Motion (Menzies Campbell MP): DETENTION OF DR KAMAL AL-LABWANI

The case of Kamal Labwani raised in the European Parliament

17 September 2009

17 September 2009 – Debate on: “Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani”

17 September 2009 – Text adopted on: “Syria: the case of Muhannad al-Hassani”

17 September 2009 – Resolution file

16 September 2009

16 September 2009 – Joint European Parliament Resolution on Syria: the case of Muhannad al-Hassani

15 September 2009

15 September 2009 – European Parliament Resolution on Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani (by Hélène Flautre, Franziska Katharina Brantner, Frieda Brepoels, Raül Romeva i Rueda on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group)

15 September 2009 - European Parliament Resolution on Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani (by Véronique De Keyser, Richard Howitt on behalf of the S&D Group)

15 September 2009 – European Parliament Resolution on the situation in Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani (by Renate Weber, Frédérique Ries, Marielle De Sarnez on behalf of the ALDE Group)

15 September 2009 – European Parliament Resolution on Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani (by Bernd Posselt, Cristian Dan Preda, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Michael Gahler on behalf of the PPE Group)

15 September 2009 - European Parliament resolution on Syria: the case of Muhannad Al Hassani (by Charles Tannock, Adam Bielan, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Antoni Legutko on behalf of the ECR Group)

14 November 2007

14 November 2007 – Written Question by Robert Kilroy-Silk (NI) to the Commission: “Prisoners of conscience in Syria”

11 December 2007 - Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission

12 October 2007

12 October 2007 – Written Question by Robert Kilroy-Silk (NI) to the Commission: “Detention of Kamal al-Labwani in Syria”

7 November 2007 – Answer given by Ms Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission

11 October 2007

11 October 2007 – Written Question by Glenis Willmott (PSE) to the Council: “Human rights situation in Syria”

26 November 2007 – Reply

24 May 2007

24 May 2007 – Text adopted on “Human Rights in Syria”

24 May 2007 – Press release: “Human rights: Venezuela, Syria, Sudan”

24 May 2007 – Resolution file

23 May 2007

23 May 2007 – Joint European Parliament Motion on Syria (by Jana Hybášková, Charles Tannock, Bernd Posselt and Eija-Riitta Korhola, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Véronique De Keyser and Pasqualina Napoletano, on behalf of the PSE Group, Marios Matsakis, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Cristiana Muscardini and Roberta Angelilli, on behalf of the UEN Group, Hélène Flautre and Cem Özdemir, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, and André Brie and Vittorio Agnoletto, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group)

22 May 2007

22 May 2007 – European Parliament Resolution on Syria (by Marios Matsakis on behalf of the ALDE Group)

22 May 2007 – European Parliament Resolution on Syria (by Véronique De Keyser on behalf of the PSE Group)

22 May 2007 – European Parliament Resolution on the human rights situation in Syria (by Hélène Flautre, Cem Özdemir on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group)

14 May 2007

14 May 2007 - Written Question by Charles Tannock (PPE‑DE) and Syed Kamall (PPE‑DE) to the Commission: “Case of Dr Kamal al-Labwani, prisoner of conscience”

15 June 2007 – Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission

15 June 2006

15 June 2006 – Debate on “Syria: Human rights violations”

13 June 2006

13 June 2006 – European Parliament Motion on Syria (by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Cecilia Malmström, Marios Matsakis, Frédérique Ries and Anneli Jäätteenmäki, on behalf of the ALDE Group)

13 June 2006 – European Parliament Resolution on “Syria: violation of human rights” (by Jana Hybaskova, Charles Tannock , Bernd Posselt and Boguslaw Sonik on behalf of the PPE-DE Group)

20 April 2006

20 April 2006 – Written Question by Graham Watson (ALDE), Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck (ALDE) and Cecilia Malmström (ALDE) to the Council: “Syria: peaceful activist Kamal al-Labwani arrested on return to Damascus”

1 September 2006 - Reply

20 April 2006 – Written Question by Graham Watson (ALDE), Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck (ALDE) and Cecilia Malmström (ALDE) to the Commission: “Syria peaceful activist Kamal al-Labwani arrested on return to Damascus”

7 June 2006 – Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission