Syrian dissidents to go on hunger strike

AFP, June, 2006

DAMASCUS (AFP) — Fourteen jailed Syrian dissidents and human rights activists have declared a week-long hunger strike starting on Saturday to press demands for their release on bail, family members said.

Ten of them were arrested for signing a petition calling for a change in relations with neighbouring Lebanon.

The petition "was not an accusation" against Syria, lawyer Khalil Maatouk told AFP. "It was a point of view on establishing solid and friendly ties between the two countries" and the Syrian and Lebanese people.

Lawyer and militant rights activist Anwar Bunni, who has been on hunger strike since his detention on May 18, called off the action on Sunday, his brother Akram Bunni said.

Akram, a writer, said his brother would resume the protest on...