From:    William Bowles
Subject: SYRIA: FATIMA 'ABBAS

6:25 pm  Sep 12, 1991
Source: Peacenet
(Fido:250/222) igc:aicoord
Conf:ai.general
Political Reformers and Their Relatives: Syria

FATIMA 'ABBAS

Fatima 'Abbas was among some 180 people arrested by Syrian
security forces between February and June 1986. Over 100
people were subsequently released, including 16 women who
were said to have been arrested originally as hostages in
lieu of male family members being sought by the authorities.
Some of women released were reported to have been ill-
treated in detention.

Fatima 'Abbas, now 34 years old, was arrested on April 27,
1986. She was born in Deir Mamm, Masyaf, and is single. She
worked as a laborer. Her brother was wanted by the
authorities for being a member of the prohibited Party for
Communist Action. Fatima 'Abbas is being held at Fara'
Falastin, Damascus.

Since March 1972, when President Hafez al-Assad set up a
coalition of political parties called the National
Progressive Front, all parties which have not joined this
Front have been prohibited, among them the Party for
Communist Action (PCA). In its publication, the PCA has
advocated greater democratic freedom in Syria, the abolition
of the State of Emergency and exceptional courts, and the
release of all political prisoners.

Fatima 'Abbas appears to be detained as a result of her
brother's political views. Amnesty International has called
for her immediate release unless she is promptly charged
with an internationally recognizable offense.

You Can Help:

Please send courteous letters expressing concern at the
detention of Fatima 'Abbas. Urge that she be released
immediately unless she is promptly charged with an
internationally recognizable offense.

Write to:

His Excellency President Hafez al-Assad, Presidential
Palace, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

His Excellency Khaled al-Ansari, Minister of Justice,
Ministry of Justice, Nasr Street, Damascus, Syrian Arab
Republic

His Excellency 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam, Vice President, Office
of the President, Presidential Palace, Damascus, Syrian Arab
Republic

Ambassador Walid al-Moualem, Embassy of the Syrian Arab
Republic, 2215 Wyoming Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008