Amnesty International UK

Amnesty International has written to the Greek Minister of the Interior
regarding allegations of ill-treatment made by four protestors,
including
British citizen Simon Chapman, detained after the June 2003 EU Summit
in
Thessaloniki who are currently on hunger strike.

During the demonstration that took place on 21 June, police reportedly
used excessive force against protestors. Over 100 individuals were
detained between 21 and 23 June. Twenty-nine of them were arrested and
charged, including three minors. Seven of them are still in prison.

British citizen Simon Chapman, aged 30, Spanish citizens Carlos Martín
Martínez, aged 25 and Fernando Pérez Gorraiz, aged 22, and Syrian
citizen,
Solaiman Dakdouk, aged 34, say that during their arrest they were
kicked,
beaten with batons, spat at, and verbally assaulted by police officers.
They also say that they were ill-treated during their initial detention
period. As a result they sustained head injuries and bruising and Simon
Chapman received stitches to the forehead. Fernando Pérez Gorraiz and
Carlos Martín Martínez also say that during the first days of their
detention they were denied access to medical care, and that when they
did
see a doctor the treatment they received was inadequate for the
injuries
they had sustained.

Carlos Martín Martínez's parents were denied adequate access to
information about their son until his mother came to Greece on 5
November.

Such ill-treatment, if substantiated, would be in clear violation of
international treaties and standards ratified by Greece, as well as
domestic law.

Amnesty International is also concerned about allegations received that
Simon Chapman might have been charged on the basis of fabricated
evidence
and urges the authorities to immediately investigate the evidence
supporting these allegations.

Amnesty International UK Media Director Lesley Warner said:

"All allegations that Simon Chapman and other protesters have been
ill-treated must be investigated immediately.

"If these claims are true, they will be a clear breach of both
international and Greek domestic law. Any officers found guilty must
be
brought to justice."

The human rights organisation urged the Greek authorities to undertake
a
thorough, independent and impartial investigation into allegations of
ill-treatment made by the demonstrators. Should the allegations be
substantiated, the organisation urged that victims receive adequate
compensation and that the perpetrators of human rights violations be
brought to justice.

The four detainees mentioned above, as well as Greek national Spyros
Tsitsas have been on hunger strike for over six weeks, demanding
temporary
release on bail. Amnesty International has requested that officials
ensure that adequate medical care is being provided to them and that
appropriate nutrition is available should any of them decide to stop
the
strike.

Amnesty International is concerned that Carlos Martín Martínez may have
been ill-treated during his hospitalisation on 4 November for health
problems that resulted from the hunger strike. Reports in the Spanish
daily El Mundo state that he was handcuffed, offered no access to a bed
and actively
prevented from sleeping by being subjected to repeated blows and verbal
abuse by the guards that accompanied him to the hospital.

The organisation also expressed concern at the possible refoulement of
Solaiman Dakdouk back to Syria once his trial is over. Solaiman
Dakdouk is an artist whose writings and cartoons have often been
critical
of the Syrian government. He has been residing in Greece for the last
13
years where he has been involved in syndicalist and anti-racist
politics
and has played a major role in the setting up of Syrian immigrants'
associations, which have also at times issued public statements against
the Syrian government. He is a conscientious objector who has refused
to
serve in the Syrian national army. Amnesty International believes that
should he be forcibly returned to Syria he would be at grave risk of
being
subjected to torture.

ENDS

More press information:
Amnesty International UK press office:
Lesley Warner, Tel: 020 7814 6255
Steve Ballinger, Tel: 020 7417 6355
Out of hours: 07721 398984
Visit: www.amnesty.org.uk