Beirut-Damascus Declaration
Encyclopedia
The Beirut–Damascus Declaration was a statement signed by between 274 and 500 Lebanese and Syrian activists and intellectual
s which called on the Syrian regime
to correct its relationship with Lebanon
and to respect Lebanon's independence and sovereignty starting with demarcating a common border and establishing diplomatic relations. It also called for an end to political killings in Lebanon.
Since its publication on May 12, 2006, many of the Syrians signatories have since been fired from their jobs and have been subject to persecution. The BBC
reports that seven opposition figures were jailed for signing it. Michel Kilo
's served three years in prison after signing it and another signatory — human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni
— remains in jail after being sentenced to five years.
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.- Terminology and endeavours :"Intellectual" can denote four types of persons:...
s which called on the Syrian regime
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
to correct its relationship with Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and to respect Lebanon's independence and sovereignty starting with demarcating a common border and establishing diplomatic relations. It also called for an end to political killings in Lebanon.
Since its publication on May 12, 2006, many of the Syrians signatories have since been fired from their jobs and have been subject to persecution. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reports that seven opposition figures were jailed for signing it. Michel Kilo
Michel Kilo
Michel Kilo is a Syrian Christian writer and human rights activist, who has been called "one of Syria's leading opposition thinkers."-Career:He was born in the Syrian Mediterranean coastal city and province of Latakia in 1940....
's served three years in prison after signing it and another signatory — human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni
Anwar al-Bunni
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, , Kurdish protesters, and "dozens of others."...
— remains in jail after being sentenced to five years.