Individuals at Risk Newsletter - August/September 2008
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Alyaksandr Kazulin Pardoned and Released from Prison
Former Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, who was originally detained on March 25, 2006, was pardoned by a presidential decree on August 16. Following speeches in a public park in 2006, Alyaksandr Kazulin led a peaceful march to Akrestina prison, where hundreds were being detained after the violent break-up of demonstrations that had followed the presidential elections on 19 March. Government security forces used excessive force to break up the march, at which point Alyaksandr Kazulin suggested that the demonstrators head to a nearby church to pray. As he turned his back on the security officers, he and others were reportedly struck repeatedly on the back by the officers. Alyaksandr Kazulin was then detained unlawfully at Akrestina prison, following a flagrantly unfair trial in which he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.
AIUSA took action on Kazulin's case through the recent Summer Solidarity Action. Group 530 in Washington, DC campaigned for Kazulin's release for several years, establishing fruitful contact with Kazulin's family and engaging other activists in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the effort. Group 42 in White Plains, NY, also worked on the case. Freedom Writers took action on the case in June 2008.
Dr. Aref Dalilah Granted Presidential Amnesty
Dr. Aref Dalilah, the former Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Aleppo University, was released from detention in Syria on August 7 after he was granted a presidential amnesty. In July 2002, Dr. Aref Dalilah was convicted by the State Security Court of "attempting to change the constitution by illegal means." He served seven years of a ten year sentence, much of it in solitary confinement in the political wing of 'Adra prison in Damascus.
Out of the ten prominent individuals detained for their roles in the so-called "Damascus Spring," Dr. Aref Dalilah received the longest sentence. The "Damascus Spring" describes the brief period of increased tolerance from the authorities for freedom of expression and pro-reform activities following Bashar al-Assad's inauguration as President in July, 2000.
Following his release, Dr. Aref Dalilah said, "I am thankful for all the efforts made by everyone at Amnesty International and all those who took part in actions on my behalf. We are united in the struggle for the causes of justice and democracy. This struggle is still ongoing."
Dr. Aref Dalilah was the subject of Urgent Action 268/06. His case was also featured in the June 2004 and October 2005 Freedom Writers Bulletins. Group 517 in Jonesboro, Arkansas also campaigned for his release.
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.
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