Letter Writing Action
Disappearance Case
Dr. Michel Sa’adey
Background
(Please read also the detailed case background.)
Dr. Michel Sa’adey was arrested on 13 May 1978 in Damascus, Syria
by two plainclothes individuals in a jeep. He has not been seen or heard
from since. There has been no response to numerous inquiries bout his
whereabouts. Dr. Sa’adey’s current location and legal status
remain unknown, as do the reasons for his arrest. He is said to have
voiced criticism of the Syrian government before his arrest.
Dr. Sa’adey, born 17 March 1944, is a Syrian citizen who received
his medical education in France. At the time of his arrest, he was living
with his brother in Damascus and working to establish a medical practice
there.
Writing a letter
You can write your own letter, using the information below, or print
out the sample letter written by our case coordinator. The letter
will open in a new window, close the window to return to this page.
Important
Please refer to Amnesty International’s letter-writing
guide before writing to any of the addresses below.
Your letter should raise the following points:
- Summarize the case of Dr. Sa’adey with as many details as possible.
- Say that Amnesty International is concerned about his disappearance.
- Urge that his family be informed of his whereabouts, and that he
be given access to his family, and to legal and medical attention
as necessary.
- Request information about the reasons for his arrest.
- Say that if Dr. Sa’adey is a prisoner of conscience (POC) detained
solely for the nonviolent expression of his beliefs, he should be
released immediately and unconditionally.
- Say that if he is not a POC, he should be given a prompt and fair
trial or be released.
- Commend the Syrian Government on recent prisoner of conscience releases.
- Point out that the Syrian Constitution and the International Covenant
of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, to which Syria is a party) ensure
that everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression.
- In addition, the ICCPR ensures that no one shall be subject to arbitrary
arrest or detention, and that everyone shall have the right to a fair
trial.
Please address your letters to:
| His Excellency President Dr. Bashar
al-Assad
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh, Al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
His Excellency Mahmud al-Zu’bi
Prime Minister
‘Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
| His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Harba
Minister of the Interior
Merjeh Circle
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
His Excellency Hassin Hassun
Minister of Justice
Al-Nasr Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
| His Excellency Faruq al-Shar’a
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
His Excellency Dr. M. Iyad al-Shatti
Minister of Health
Al-Majlis al-Niyabi
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
| His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Salman
Minister of Information
Autostrade al-Mezze
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
His Excellency Nasser Qaddur
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
’Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic |
| His Excellency Walid Al-Moualem
2215 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
United States of America |
|
| |
(Optional)
Copies To:
Amnesty International Group 178
Attn: Action File Coordinator
Post Office Box 17186
Irvine, California 92623-1718
United States of America |
Please send us any responses
If you receive any responses to your letter, please forward them to
AIUSA Local Group 178
Attn: Action File Coordinator
Post Office Box 17186
Irvine, California 92623-1718
United States of America
You may also feel free to send us copies of any letters you write.
