The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) expresses its deep concern regarding the arbitrary detention and risk of torture of Ms. Ayat ISAM AHMAD, a Syrian student arrested on October 18, 2009.
Since this date, Ms. Ayat ISAM AHMAD has allegedly been detained by the Political Security Department in Damascus, Al-Fayhaa branch, on accusations of “disseminating Salafi thoughts”. However, no official charges have been brought against her to date.
According to the information received, the Political Security Department in Damascus summoned Ms Ayat ISAM AHMAD on October 18, 2009 without giving any reason and proceeded to detain her.
Her health condition is cause for serious concern, as trusted sources account that Ms. Ayat ISAM AHMAD has been transferred to the hospital several times throughought her arbitrary detention.
To date, no information is available about the charges against her, she has not been brought before a judge and has no access to a lawyer. FIDH has therefore sent an individual complaint to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning her case.
FIDH calls upon the Syrian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Ayat ISAM AHMAD and to release her without delay as her detention is arbitrary;
FIDH calls the Syrian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ratified in 1969, which states in Article 9, that "[n] o person shall be arbitrarily arrested or detained."