Anwar al-Bunni
Encyclopedia
Anwar al-Bunni is a Syrian human rights lawyer who has defended clients such as Riad al-Turk, Riad Seif
, the owner of The Lamplighter, (an independent newspaper shut down by the Syrian government), Kurd
ish protesters, and "dozens of others."
Al-Bunni was born in Hama
to a Christian family active in dissident leftist politics. According to an interview with American journalist Robin Wright
, he became interested in defending dissidents after being beaten, bayonetted, and having beard set on fire, by Syrian soldiers during a military sweep of Hama in 1981. He has been described as having spent "most of his life" defending Syria's political dissidents, often pro bono
, and having sold his automobile and office to pay his bills as a result. He was head of the short-lived European Union
-funded human rights training centre in Syria called the Center for Legal Research and Studies until it was shut down by the government in 2006. Following this he wrote a model constitution for Syria guaranteeing political pluralism and civil rights.
In 2006 he was detained by security forces and reportedly beaten by prison guards. A year later he was given a five-year sentence for "spreading false or exaggerated news that could weaken national morale, affiliating with an unlicensed political association with an international nature, discrediting state institutions and contacting a foreign country", according to his lawyer.
In 2008 he received the Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. The following year he was awarded the Human Rights Award by the German Association of Judges
.
Riad Seif
Riad Seif is Syrian political dissident, formerly a member of the Parliament of Syria and prominent businessman, who founded and lead the Forum for National Dialogue. Seif was elected to parliament in 1994 as an independent and again in 1998...
, the owner of The Lamplighter, (an independent newspaper shut down by the Syrian government), Kurd
Kürd
Kürd or Kyurd or Kyurt may refer to:*Kürd Eldarbəyli, Azerbaijan*Kürd Mahrızlı, Azerbaijan*Kürd, Goychay, Azerbaijan*Kürd, Jalilabad, Azerbaijan*Kürd, Qabala, Azerbaijan*Qurdbayram, Azerbaijan...
ish protesters, and "dozens of others."
Al-Bunni was born in Hama
Hama
Hama is a city on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria north of Damascus. It is the provincial capital of the Hama Governorate. Hama is the fourth-largest city in Syria—behind Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs—with a population of 696,863...
to a Christian family active in dissident leftist politics. According to an interview with American journalist Robin Wright
Robin Wright (author)
Robin B. Wright is an American foreign affairs analyst, and an award-winning journalist and author.A graduate of the University of Michigan, she lives in Washington D.C.-Career:...
, he became interested in defending dissidents after being beaten, bayonetted, and having beard set on fire, by Syrian soldiers during a military sweep of Hama in 1981. He has been described as having spent "most of his life" defending Syria's political dissidents, often pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
, and having sold his automobile and office to pay his bills as a result. He was head of the short-lived European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
-funded human rights training centre in Syria called the Center for Legal Research and Studies until it was shut down by the government in 2006. Following this he wrote a model constitution for Syria guaranteeing political pluralism and civil rights.
In 2006 he was detained by security forces and reportedly beaten by prison guards. A year later he was given a five-year sentence for "spreading false or exaggerated news that could weaken national morale, affiliating with an unlicensed political association with an international nature, discrediting state institutions and contacting a foreign country", according to his lawyer.
In 2008 he received the Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. The following year he was awarded the Human Rights Award by the German Association of Judges
German Association of Judges
The German Association of Judges is the largest professional organization of judges and public prosecutors in Germany. It was founded in 1909...
.