Revealed Coordination with American and European Organizations
July 22, 2024
Member of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, lawyer Tarek Al-Kurdi, emphasized the need to focus on international pressure on the Lebanese government to address the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons. He stated that the Commission is coordinating with Syrian organizations in the United States and Europe to provide the much-needed medical treatment, care, and medications for Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons.
During his participation in a virtual conference on Syrian political detainees in Lebanese prisons held on July 20, which saw the participation of numerous Syrian politicians, legal experts, opposition figures, activists, writers, artists, and Lebanese lawyers, Al-Kurdi said that the Negotiation Commission and its legal office are seizing every opportunity to alleviate the suffering of detainees in Lebanese prisons. He highlighted that these detainees, who stood up against the criminal regime and Hezbollah militia, are the responsibility of the Commission, which will do everything in its power to secure their release, not only for political detainees but also for those detained by Lebanese authorities on unfounded and fabricated charges, often without trial or following sham trials.
The member of the Negotiation Commission and Director of its legal office stressed that it is futile to rely on the Lebanese authorities or judiciary. Instead, there must be strong international pressure on the Lebanese government and other Lebanese parties to address this issue. He praised the efforts of Lebanese lawyers, legal experts, and activists working on the Syrian detainees’ file, calling them dedicated fighters whose efforts are highly appreciated.
Al-Kurdi explained that the Negotiation Commission is in constant communication and holding events in various European capitals to remind the international community of its responsibilities towards Syrians and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and to highlight the plight of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons. He pointed out that these detainees are not only held in state prisons but also in secret prisons run by Hezbollah and other Lebanese militias fighting alongside the Syrian regime against the people.
He revealed that the Commission is in advanced talks with Syrian diaspora organizations and expatriate doctors to secure necessary medical treatment, medications, and healthcare for Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons. He noted that these organizations are sincerely and strongly willing to provide direct medical assistance and services to Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons, with an understanding that their services may also benefit Lebanese prisoners. They are currently working on formulating ideas and the Commission is seeking a suitable intermediary between them and the Lebanese authorities. They are also in contact with the International Red Cross and the office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, hoping that the Lebanese authorities will approve the provision of this medical aid to the detainees.
