(202) 686-4844 Washington, DC 20045 2077 National Press Bldg. Council of Lebanese American Organizations Beirut under growing pressure over restrictions on food and cars Public outcry over import curbs By Samer Iskandar in Beirut The Lebanese government is The introduction of the The government last week limit of L£5m ($3,200) means "The measures are com- The second set of mea. The government said the food self-sufficiency. car emissions. "Pollution can However, Mr Kamal She- Syrian exporters are to a Car importers are arguing "Most people will no lon- Economists also pointed "What this will create is a Inserted testimony from Daniel Nassif: Mr. Pierre Attallah, 34, a journalist with the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Nahar," was arrested on December 23, 1996, reportedly for "contacting Israeli agents" in Lebanon, a charge frequently used by the Lebanese authorities against people suspected of political opposition. The charges related to an interview he conducted 1993 with Etienne Saqr, the former head of the Guardians of the Cedars, an opposition political party, in the Israeli-occupied “security zone" in southern Lebanon. Atallah was released on bail on January 6, 1997. In early June, Lebanon's Attorney General formally indicted Mr. Attallah for "contacting Israeli" agents. As he was returning home from work on the evening of the indictment, Mr. Attallah encountered a group of about 15 assailants in his neighborhood. The assailants, whom witnesses believed were plainclothes Syrian intelligence cadres because of their distinctive Arabic accent, beat him severely. Mr. Attallah collapsed on the ground and was rescued by neighbors and family members who rushed him to a hospital. After spending several days in the hospital recovering from his injuries, Mr. Attallah escaped Lebanon secretly and arrived in France where he asked for political asylum. The accompanying photos, displaying his injuries, were taken of Mr. Attallah after his arrival in France. Also attached is an Amnesty International "Urgent Action Appeal” dated May 16, 1997, which gives earlier details of Mr. Attallah's case. (Insert photos and text.) Further information on UA 300/96 issued 23 December 1996 and re-issued 30 December, 31 December, 7 January 1997) Fear of Torture/Legal Concern and new concern: Fear of unfair trial On 14 May 1997, a military magistrate demanded between three and 15 years' imprisonment with hard labor for journalist Pierre Attallah. No date has been set for the trial but it is thought to be imminent. Pierre Attallah was arrested on 23 December 1996 and was released on bail on 6 January 1997. Amnesty Internationa¦ is concerned that Pierre Attailah is reportedly being charged with contacting Israeli agents in Lebanon, (a charge frequently used by the Lebanese authorities against people suspected of political opposition). This relates to a published interview he conducted with Etienne Saqr, former head of the Guardians of the Cedar, in 1993, in his professional capacity as a journalist (see previous update). The indictment reportedly states that Pierre Attallah "published Saqr's ideas (such as} his opposition to the Lebanese government, to the Syrian presence in Lebanon and to Hizbullah". If Pierre Attallah is convicted on this charge Amnesty International would consider him a prisoner of conscience. The organization is also concerned that Pierre Attallah will be tried before a military court which, by virtue of its procedures and lack of adequate judicial supervision as recently confirmed by the UN Human Rights Committee, does not guarantee that defendants receive fair trials. Magistrate Riyad Talee' also reportedly charged Pierre Attallah with "distributing leaflets that incite strife, disturb Lebanon's relations with a friendly country [reference to Syria] and slander the army." Pierre Attallah denied this charge. FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters: -calling for the charges against Pierre Attallah that relate to his professional work as a journalist be dropped; -expressing concern that Pierre Anallah is being tried before a military court without adequate safeguards for fair trial; • requesting assurances that Pierre Attallah will receive a fair and prompt trial if he is charged with a recognizable criminal offence. APPEALS TO: President Elias Hirawi Office of the President Ba'abda Palace Ba'abda, Beirut Republic of Lebanon Council of Lebanese American Organizations 2077 National Press Bldg. Washington, DC 20045 This Urgent Action appeal originated from Amnesty International's research headquarters at the laternational Secretariat in London, United Kingdom. Amnesty International is an independent workhwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of men and wemen detained anywhere because of their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used nor advocaled violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge er trial. It opposes the death penalty, extra-judicial executions (polllical killings), "disappearances" and torture er ether cruel, inhuman er degrading treatment er punishment of all prisoners without reservation. COUNCIL OF LEBANESE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS 2077 National Press Building Washington, DC 20043 Tel: (202) 686-4844 The Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman, Chairman The House of Representatives 2170 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-6128 Dear Chairman Gilman: During my testimony at the Lebanon Hearing on June 25, 1997, I submitted to be included in the record three pictures of An-Nahar reporter Pierre Atallah showing how he was severely beaten by unknown individuals working for the Syrian-controlled authorities in Beirut. My remarks at the Hearing relied on initial sketchy reports which later, following news conferences held on 3 July simultaneously in Beirut and Paris, received extra bolstering details. The news conference in Beirut was held by An-Nahar editor and Mr. Atallah's boss, Mr. Gibran Tueini, and Atallah's attorney, Mr. Butros Harb. Representatives of Western embassies, including that of the United States, were present at the news conference. In Paris Mr. Atallah, currently in exile in France, personally testified in the news conference which was held at the headquarters of the French organization "Reporters Without Frontiers." Although what I said at the Hearing constituted groundbreaking news at the time, I wish here, in light of subsequent revelations, to supply additional information to what I said. The physical attack against Mr. Atallah's person occurred in the vicinity of his residence not far from the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Syrian-occupied Beirut. As Mr. Atallah was driving back home from a meeting with his lawyer, Mr. Harb, a car suddenly pulled up and blocked his way. Three men believed to be working for the Syrian-affiliated intelligence apparatus of the Beirut authorities descended from the car and began to hit Mr. Atallah repeatedly on the head, neck, back, and arms with large |