Algeria: "Like a fire that never dies" - the denial of the right to truth and justice for the families of the disappeared

DZA - News | 30 August 2016

Geneva, 30 August 2016

On the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Alkarama denounces, in its latest public report, the denial of the right to truth and justice for the families of disappeared people and calls upon the Algerian authorities to engage in a genuine process of national reconciliation. Indeed, 20 years after the disappearance of thousands of victims arrested during the civil war and 10 years after the adoption of the “Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation”, their families still know nothing about their fate, and the authorities persist in denying responsibility for these crimes.

Lebanon: A Minor Tortured by the Military Intelligence Prosecuted for “Terrorism”

LBN - News | 30 August 2016

On 12 September 2014, Walid Diab, 16 year old at the time, was arrested at a military checkpoint upon information of “secret informants”. Secretly detained for three months and severely tortured despite his young age, he is currently facing trial before the Military Court; his next hearing will be held on 26 September 2016. Concerned over the gravity of these violations suffered by a minor, Alkarama wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) to demand the urgent intervention of the five UN experts with the Lebanese authorities to demand that Walid be released and his allegations of torture investigated.

Syria: Three Men Abducted From Their Homes by State Security Forces

SYR - News | 26 August 2016

Among the many arrests in Syria between 2011 and 2015, three men have been arrested from their homes by members of the State Security Forces – the General Intelligence Directorate falling under the authority of the Ministry of Interior –. They remain disappeared and their families do not have any information on their fates and whereabouts. On 10 August 2016, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians, wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) regarding their cases.

Iraq: Human Rights Activist Disappeared For a Year by State Sponsored Militia

IRQ - News | 26 August 2016

On 19 August 2015, Waee Al Jabouri, lawyer and head of a human rights NGO, left his house in the morning and never came back. He disappeared after his arrest at a nearby checkpoint of the State sponsored militia Liwa Al Sadr. Concerned over his case, Alkarama and the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights sent his case to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) hoping that this mechanism for the protection for human rights will help locate him.

Lebanon: Layal Al Kayaje Sentenced by the Military Court for Having Denounced Her Rape by Military Officers

LBN - News | 23 August 2016

On 22 August 2016, Layal Al Kayaje, a 31-year-old Palestinian veterinary residing in Saida, port city in South Lebanon, was sentenced to one month in prison by the Military Court of Beirut for "defamation and libel against the Lebanese army" because she publicly denounced her rape by military officers when she was detained in 2013. Considering that speaking out against her rape should in no way constitute a crime, on 16 June 2016, Alkarama had called upon the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression (SR FREEDEX), David Kaye, to urge the Lebanese authorities to drop all charges against her and open an investigation into her allegations of torture.

Syria: Still No News of Hussein Jabara Who Disappeared after His Shop Was Raided by State Security

SYR - News | 18 August 2016

A 39-year-old shop owner, Hussein Jabara, was abducted on 11 March 2014 in Qamshili by the State Security forces. He has not been seen since July 2015 and his family remains without confirmation of his fate and whereabouts, despite several inquiries. On 10 August 2016, Alkarama along with Human Rights Guardians, sent his case to the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) to help shed light on his current whereabouts.

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