We Did It! A Victory for VAWA
Recent Victories
Pakistani journalist Rehmatullah Darpakhel, who was abducted on 11 August 2011, was released on 12 October and is now recovering with his family.
On 17 August, Darfuri activist Shakir Abdelrahman Adam, who was arrested in connection to protests at Nyala University, Sudan, was released without charge after a court ruled that he had been wrongfully arrested.
Syrian activist Walid al-Bunni and his son Mu’ayad al-Bunni, who had been held incommunicado after their arrest on 6 August 2011, appear to no longer be at risk of torture. Walid al-Bunni has been charged and is currently awaiting trial. He now has regular contact with his family and lawyers. Mu’ayad al-Bunni, aged 18, was released on bail. Walid al-Bunni is a prominent activist in Syria.
Mohammed Hasan al-Labwani, who was arrested on 18 August in al-Zabadani, near Damascus, has now been reunited with his family. He was charged by an investigating judge with “weakening national sentiment” (Article 285 of the Syrian Penal Code), “broadcasting false and exaggerated news which could affect the morale of the country” (Article 286) and a third charge related to participation in riots (Article 335). He is awaiting his next hearing, which is scheduled for 8 October 2011.
