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| Arrest of Lebanese Human Rights Defender | Date: 10-09-2003 |
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ARREST OF LEBANESE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is deeply alarmed by information of the arrest today of well-known human rights defender Samira Trad (individual member of the EMHRN) today by the Lebanese Security Services. Samira Trad, who is detained at the Prison of Foreigners, is charged of ‘tarnishing the reputation of the State of Lebanon’ and of ‘founding an illegal organisation’. Samira Trad is well known for her work for the rights of non-Palestinian refugees. She recently established the Frontiers Centre, a civil company partnership recognised by the Lebanese authorities and dedicated to the work for marginalized people on Lebanon. The arrest follows after Samira Trad returned from a round trip to France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden aimed at informing about the work of the Frontier Centre. The EMHRN is deeply concerned about the detention of Samira Trad that follows the arrest of human rights activist and lawyer Mohammed Moghrabi on 8 august 2003. The EMHRN sees no other motive behind the arrest than to silence a human rights activist who has worked courageously to defend the cause of people in want of protection. The EMHRN asks the Lebanese authorities to drop the unfounded charges against Samira Trad and to release her immediately. Human rights defenders are indispensable part of democratisation efforts. Human rights and civil society are also key elements of the Barcelona process to which Lebanon has committed itself and in the framework of which Lebanon has concluded an association agreement with the EU which binds the parties to respect human rights. The EMHRN calls Lebanon to respect international human rights standards, including the UN ‘Human Rights Defenders Declaration’ (of 9 December 2003). It asks the EU to urgently raise the situation of Samira Trad with the appropriate Lebanese authorities. For further information, please contact: Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director, EMHRN Tel:+45.51.20.55.15 (mobile) Email: msp@euromedrights.net |
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