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SHRC 
The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has learnt that the health of Dr Sufyan Mohammed Bakkour who has been detained since 13/1/2007 by the Branch of political security in Syria as a hostage for his father, the opponent Mohammed Ahmed Bakkour has critically declined whilst in prison. For the past year he has suffered from cholecytitis and is in urgent need of an immediate surgery. However, the Syrian authorities are refusing to allow any operation to take place, whether through Sufyan’s private or public medication.
Sufyan Mohammed Bakkour, from the province of Hama, was born in Baghdad 1977 where he lived with his family. When the American troops invaded Iraq in 2003, the lives of the many Syrians residing there were threatened by American forces and the sectarian militias which killed large numbers of them and compelled many of them to migrate. At this time Sufyan received reassurances from the security officer at the Syrian Embassy in Baghdad Mr. Mohammed al-Mohammed that his case was safe and he had no connections to his father’s opposition and that he could return safely to Syria. He returned to Syria in the spring 2003, however was arrested later in 2007 as a hostage for his father. However, no accusation has been issued against him nor has he been referred to court. Sufyan has undertaken hunger strikes on various occasions protesting at his unjustified arrest, particularly as he is not affiliated to any Syrian group that opposes the regime.
The position that the Syrian Authorities has taken against Mr Sufyan Mohammed Bakkour is extremely unfair, as he has not committed any crime in their eyes except that he is the son of an opponent of the regime on whom they wish to exert pressure taking his son as a hostage, whilst at the same time he is suffering from dangerous health problems. The authorities are refusing to allow him to undergo a surgical operation which is threatening his life further. This act is contradictory to the values of the Syrian constitution and the international declaration of human rights.
Therefore, SHRC calls upon the Syrian Authorities to allow Mr Sufyan Bakkour the opportunity to immediately receive the relevant medical treatment and release him in no time, and also places the Syrian Authorities accountable for any negative implications on Sufyan’s health due to the delay in receiving medication. SHRC also calls upon all humanitarian groups and the friends of human rights to act for Sufyan’s immediate release to save his life from any approaching danger.
Syrian Human Rights Committee
6/2/2009
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