Military intelligence officers burst into Abdul Rahman's house dressed in civilian clothes and according to Nadera Abdou, both were taken to military intelligence headquarters in Aleppo.

During the raid, the officers searched of the home and confiscated some of Abdul Rahman's personal property; in particular, some Kurdish literature, his computer and various unpublished MAF reports.

On 29 April 2010, Alkarama sent an urgent appeal to the Group Working on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, asking it to intervene with the Syrian authorities in order that Abdul Rahman receives the benefits of legal proceedings. Alkarama has also informed the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression of Abdul Rahman's case.

Abdul Rahman Abdul Hafiez is a Kurdish Syrian citizen, living in Aleppo. He is a writer, poet, human rights activist and an active member of MAF. "Maf" in Kurdish, means "rights".

By forcibly disappearing Abdul Rahman, the Syrian authorities are clearly aiming to silence anyone who expresses political views in a peaceful manner, leaving no leeway for human rights activists, especially those fighting for civil and political rights.

It is quite clear that this policy is here to stay - in the current climate victims have had serious attempts against their most basic rights, and continuously viewed with deep and unjustified suspicion.

On 3 and 4 May, the Committee against Torture's will review Syrian during its inaugural at the Palais Wilson, OHCHR headquarters in Geneva. Alkarama's submission to the CAT in the lead up to Syria's review is available for download. The report provides detailed information regarding torture and the general human rights situation in Syria.