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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2007 > April 
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 24, 2007


Sentencing of Syrian Human Rights Lawyer Anwar al-Bunni

The United States is disturbed by the sentencing of prominent human rights activist and lawyer Anwar al-Bunni to five years imprisonment for allegedly spreading "hostile information" and joining an illegal political group. Mr. Al-Bunni was arrested in May 2006 after signing the Beirut-Damascus Declaration, an appeal that relations between Syria and Lebanon be based on principles of mutual respect and non-interference. His arrest, detention and harsh sentence are yet another example of the Syrian regime’s contempt for the universally-recognized right of free expression of ideas, and its blatant attempts to silence and intimidate the Syrian people.

We call on the Syrian government to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to cease its harassment of Syrians who are peacefully seeking to bring about democratic and political reform in their country.

2007/318

 


Released on April 24, 2007

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