28 August 2014
Mr Ariel Dulitzky
Chairperson-Rapporteur
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
8-14, Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
BY EMAIL: wgeid@ohchr.org, sr-torture@ohchr.org, coisyria@ohchr.org
Copy to: Special Rapporteur on torture, Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Re: Syria – Enforced disappearance of Messrs Sabaie and Alaa Sharkeyia in Homs since July 2013
ALK ref: 2014/824-825
Syria has acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 21 April 1969 and to the Convention against Torture (CAT) on 19 August 2004.
Mr Chairman, distinguished members of the Working Group,
We write to bring to your attention the enforced disappearances of Mr Sabaie Sharkeyia and his brother Mr Alaa Sharkeyia. They have disappeared on 7 July 2013 and their fate and whereabouts remain unknown to date.
We refer to:
- Mr Sabaie Sharkeyia (شرقية سبيع), aged 35 (born on 16 January 1979). He lives in Ashter Najafi Street, Bab Tadmor area, Homs, Syria. He works in freight transport, using his own car.
- Mr Alaa Sharkeyia (علاء شرقية), aged 31 (born on 11 April 1984). He lives in Ashter Najafi Street, Bab Tadmor area, Homs, Syria. He works in freight transport with his brother, Mr Sabaie Sharkeyia.
Arrest and disappearance
On Sunday 7 July 2013, at noon, Messrs Sharkeyia were working, in their car, when they were arrested while passing the Al Tarbeyia barrier, in Tripoli Street, Homs, by members of the Political security forces, in civilian clothes. No warrant was shown nor was a justification given.
Mr Alaa Sharkeyia tried to call his family to inform them while the officers were arresting his brother but was stopped by his abductors.
Their relatives have taken several steps and addressed the Syrian authorities to locate them but they failed to provide them with information on their fates and whereabouts.
Alkarama expresses great concerns over their physical integrity particularly due to the real risk of being tortured, as torture continues to be systematic and widespread in Government military and security facilities.
Requests
We therefore solicit your intervention with the Syrian authorities to ensure Messrs Sabaie and Alaa Sharkeyia be immediately released, or at the very least, placed under the protection of the law. Should the victims be put in detention, we ask that all fair trials standards as well as conditions of detention in line with international standards be respected.
We ask that their family be informed of their fates and whereabouts in the shortest possible delays, and that they be allowed to be in contact and visit them without restrictions.
We remain particularly concerned about their situation and request your intervention in reminding the Syrian authorities of their obligations to take appropriate measures to prevent enforced and involuntary disappearances in any place under their jurisdiction and that no exceptional circumstances may be invoked as a justification of disrespect.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
Yours faithfully,
Me Rachid Mesli Me Amal Al Naasan
Director, Legal department, Alkarama President, Human Rights Guardians
Enclosed:
- Mr Sharkeyia Sabaie’s WGEID Form.
- Mr Sharkeyia Alaa’s WGEID Form.