A closely related source has told SHRC that the youth Sami Abdelfattah Joha (20 years) from Idlib province, who is a resident in al-Musel (Iraq) was abducted yesterday (14/1/07) by an unknown armed group. A few hours later, he was found dead. Another related source told SHRC that the youth Omar Mohammed Akkash (20 years) from Idlib province who is a resident in Baghdad was arrested by the occupation forces on 3/1/07.The two Syrian youths are from among the exiled Syrians who have lived in Iraq for a number of decades.

SHRC holds the Syrian authorities responsible for the tragic events being faced by Syrians in Iraq as they have refused to allow them a peaceful return to their country, and calls upon the UN High Commission of Refugees to provide a solution for Syrian exiles in Iraq before they are exterminated by armed Iraqi militias, or cast in prison for no reason except that they are living in Iraq and have no other alternative. SHRC also calls upon the American forces to fulfil their obligations in treating the souls and properties of those living in Iraq, including refugees, with honour and sanctity, considering its position as an occupying force, whilst requesting the Iraqi government to respect international conventions and protect the souls and properties of those living in Iraq, including refugees. In addition, both sides should immediately release any exiled Syrians they have detained.

Finally, SHRC calls upon supporters of human rights to support the exiled Syrians in Iraq and stand by them as they suffer, and to call upon the international community to remove them from the danger they are vulnerable to, whether it is murder, abduction or raiding and seizing of properties.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
15/1/2007