EU-SYRIA EURO-MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

That this House notes media reports that the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement is due to be signed on 26 October 2009; further notes that the Association Agreement can be suspended in the event of human rights violations; recalls that Syria is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; is appalled at the ongoing detention of Kamal al-Labwani, artist and campaigner for peaceful democratic reform in Syria; draws attention to the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that concluded his imprisonment by the Syrian authorities is illegal; is very concerned at reports of the disappearance of human rights lawyer Haythem al-Maleh on 17 October 2009; commends European Parliament resolution P7_TA-PROV(2009)0024 which calls for the release of political detainees; is alarmed at the Syrian government's disregard for human rights, including civil and political rights; and calls on the Syrian government to release political detainees, including Kamal al-Labwani, human rights lawyers and Damascus Declaration activists, prior to the signing of the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement.