The Syrian Human Rights Committee learnt from closely related sources that a new wave of arrests took place among the deported Syrians living in Baghdad for decades. SHRC also learnt that armed people in Iraqi military uniforms unjustifiably arrested the secretary general of the Syrian Committee for Democratic Action, lawyer Mohammed Ahmad Bakkour, Mr. Mohammed Badawi, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Jarkas and Mr. Othman Basbaseh on the morning of (9/1/2007). 

SHRC urgently appeals to the Iraqi authorities to intervene and immediately release the four mentioned Syrian citizens as well as all Syrians detained in the Interior Ministry and American prisons.

SHRC repeats that the Syrian regime is to blame for this ongoing tragedy because of its denying them the right of peaceful return to Syria.

Finally, SHRC appeals again to all human rights organisations including the UN High Commission of refugees and the UN human rights council to carry out an immediate action to provide the Syrian families living in Iraq with alternative safe havens before it is too late.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
9/1/2007