Syrian authorities arrest Syrian exiles fleeing Iraq
According to information received by KHRP, seven people were arrested by Syrian authorities between 18 and 24 April while returning from exile in Iraq.
Mr Jamal Mahmud al-Wafa'I was arrested by Syrian security forces at the border checkpoint near the Syrian town of Hosaiba on 18 April 2003. He had been in exile in Iraq since the early 1980s. Fayzah 'Ali Shihab, Maha Ahmad Qarah Qash, Mayyadah Muhammad Ghassan Benqasli, Fathiyyah Rajab Damur, Muhammad 'Adnan Ahmad Madlaj and Muhammad Ahmad Qashush, all of whom were returning Syrian exiles, were also arrested at the Syrian-Iraqi border. It is unclear whether these six people were arrested after being allowed entry into Syria or at a border checkpoint. It is thought that the seven may have been taken to military intelligence detention centres, where political detainees have previously been held incommunicado for long periods and tortured or ill treated. According to reports, they have not been charged with any offence.
All seven detainees are at increased risk of torture or ill treatment in detention because of their links to the unauthorised opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood Organisation. The armed faction of this organisation was involved in confrontations with the Syrian security forces in the 1970s and 1980s.
Syria closed its border to Iraq on 14 April 2003. Following military intervention in Iraq, it is reported that many Syrian families travelled to the desert region near to the Iraqi/ Syrian border. Following appeals, Syrian authorities gave permission to a limited number of women and children; others were arrested, their entry was refused, or they were forcibly returned.
Meanwhile, in December 2002 Kurdish activist and prisoner of conscience Hussain Daoud was released after two years imprisonment in Syria. He said that he had received torture during his captivity.
