While the undersigned organizations recognize the draft resolution condemning Syria currently being discussed by the Security Council, the current text does not adequately address the severity of the situation on the ground and fails to support international accountability for crimes committed by the government of Syria. The undersigned civil society organizations from around the world call on the United Nations (UN) Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to adopt a resolution ensuring protection for victims of human rights violations in Syria and accountability for potential crimes, including crimes against humanity, committed by the Syrian authorities.

In particular, we call on the Security Council to pass a resolution that will:

By EMHRN 29/12/2011 

Egyptian security forces, in uniform and in civilian clothes, and public prosecutors have stormed the offices of: Arab Center for Independence of Justice and Legal Professions (ACIJP) (Egyptian NGO), The Budgetary and Human Rights Observatory (Egyptian NGO), The National Democratic Institute (NDI) (the Cairo and Assuit office) (an American organization with an office in Egypt), the International Republic Institute (IRI) (an American organization with an office in Egypt), Freedom House (an American organization with an office in Egypt) and Konrad Adenauer (a German NGO). The staff members of these organizations are currently being investigated by the public prosecutors inside the location of their offices. Police forces are searching their papers, laptops and computers.

“In recent months, we have seen a growing movement of people around the world who are advocating for change – for justice, equality, accountability of the powerful and respect for human rights. The Internet has often played key a role in such movements by enabling people to connect and exchange information instantly and by creating a sense of solidarity,” said UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Frank La Rue, when presenting his annual report to the UN General Assembly.

Copenhagen, Paris, Geneva, Algiers, September 30, 2011 - On the eve of the first meeting of the European Union-Algeria Subcommittee on ‘political dialogue, security, and human rights', to be held in Algiers on October 3, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the Action Group of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria (Collectif des Familles de Disparus en Algérie, CFDA), and the Algerian Human Rights League (Ligue Algérienne pour la défense des droits de l'Homme, LADDH) strongly condemn the intensifying harassment campaign against trade unionists and human rights defenders in Algeria.