Organized by the Foreign Relations Department of the Lebanese Forces party, a press conference was held by members of the Strong Republic Bloc, the Lebanese Kataeb party, the Democratic Gathering, the Renewal Movement, and some independent members of parliament to launch a petition calling for the inclusion of the file of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons within the jurisdiction of the independent body concerning the missing persons in Syria affiliated with the United Nations, in collaboration with the Association of Lebanese Detainees in Syrian Prisons.
The conference was initiated by Richard Kiyomjian, the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Lebanese Forces, who emphasized that "despite the political vacuum we are currently experiencing in Lebanon due to the disruption of constitutional institutions, we cannot overlook national, humanitarian, and political issues like the case of Lebanese detainees in Syrian regime prisons. This issue imposes a continuous suffering and pain experienced by detainees and their families. Therefore, we seek through our action today to urge the UN Secretary-General to include this case within the independent body, as a commitment to the detainees and their families."
He noted that "the signing of 46 Lebanese deputies and 42 associations on this petition confirms that despite differences in political positions, we can unite around legitimate and just national issues, and we must come together to achieve our common national goals." Kiyomjian concluded his speech with a message directed to "the detainees and their families, including Petros Khound and the parents Sharfan, Abu Khalil, As'ad Hassan Ajib, Leila Mohammed Aduni, and Hassan Alameddine, and to the hundreds of other Lebanese from all sects and regions who suffer in the basements of oppression and tyranny of the Syrian regime, to say that their cause remains among our priorities, our conscience, and all our political movements because we will not tire, stop, or grow weary until their release. This issue will remain, and it must end once and for all. The detainees have the right for us to pursue their case, and no right will be lost as long as there are demands."
For his part, the head of the Association of Lebanese Detainees in Syrian Prisons, Ala Abou Dhan, pointed out that "on June 29, 2023, the UN General Assembly issued a decision to establish a body concerned with determining the fate of the missing in Syria after 83 countries voted, while Lebanon abstained from voting. To recognize the right to life and freedom for the forcibly disappeared, this document is now in hand and is a dream for every detainee and forcibly disappeared person in Syrian prisons, coming after its approval in the Security Council for the benefit of humanity to highlight the truth of those who were kidnapped, tortured, and detained while being isolated from the outside world in recent years. It is important to note that a detainee in Syrian prisons is stripped of rights and lacks any means to support himself. Today, the fate of dozens of detained and forcibly disappeared individuals is on the global stage, so we endeavor to send this petition to work for the release of detainees, search for the missing, analyze the bodies of the victims, and activate efforts with all NGOs to assist the body that will be concerned with this issue and reveal the truth."
He concluded: "This is our opportunity and a lifeline, so we urge the countries that protect human rights and voted in favor of the UN resolution to assist us in recovering those who were kidnapped and to provide justice for the liberated detainees from the oppressive regime's jails."
Then, member of the Strong Republic Bloc, MP George Okis, confirmed that "there is an international right called the right to know the fate of the detainee or the missing, which is a natural human right, and despite this, the Syrian regime continues to deny it. In Lebanon, many committees have attempted to investigate with the Syrian regime regarding their fate, but these efforts have failed. There is hope that the atmosphere with the UN is positive in this regard, and what is required from the Lebanese is to apply pressure, and through this petition, we will emphasize that this pressure has become a reality."
Okis added that "46 deputies from various parties and political forces have signed this petition, and they responded immediately, and through this number, it serves as a starting point to uncover the fate of detainees in Syrian prisons. Therefore, it is time for this file to be concluded, and it is time for this bleeding wound to heal. The associations that signed this petition are headed in the same direction, and this is a promise and obligation towards the detainees, and we hope that the UN will respond to the petition."
For his part, MP Nadim Gemayel considered that this petition is a step toward healing the wounds of the past because this issue must end away from purges, calculations, or political disagreements. The Lebanese state, which has taken the initiative over the past years to follow up on this file, must raise its voice in this regard. MP Ashraf Rifi stated that the issue of Syrian detainees is a fundamental one, and we have not seen the Minister of Foreign Affairs of "Hezbollah" demonstrate enthusiasm to follow it as he has for undermining Resolution 1701.
In a speech delivered by MP Paula Yacoubian, she urged the UN and the international community to deal with this file seriously, as the Lebanese government does not give importance to any issues related to the Syrian regime, emphasizing the need to grant previously detained Lebanese in Syria their full rights and freedom and protection to support them, as their case is alive.
In conclusion, MP Mark Daou stated that it is the duty of the Lebanese state, with its institutions, ministries, and all political parties, to follow up on the file of Lebanese forcibly disappeared in Syria to know their fate, reveal the truth, and raise the voices of the families of the disappeared, as this issue is purely humanitarian and moral, and especially for the external committee in the Parliament to decide on this file and announce an official position to adopt this petition so that the discussion among the political forces in the Parliament becomes clear.
