30 July 2011
Save Syria's Disappeared: Petition
Muntaha's sixteen year old son was abducted from a peaceful democracy protest by Syrian security forces. She has spent
the last eight weeks scouring the country for her child -- braving warnings from the Syrian regime that her other son
would also be "disappeared" if she continued with her search. Our urgent action now can help her son and the thousands
of other disappeared Syrians.
Since March, almost 3000 people have been taken by regime forces and disappeared into secret jails. The international
community has spoken out, but done little to stop this attack -- but India, Brazil and South Africa have close ties to
Syria and could push for an international human rights delegation to find the missing and reunite families with their
loved ones.
Our massive global membership can force key leaders to act now, pressuring Syria to allow an international delegation to
investigate the thousands of disappeared. Sign the petition -- it is being delivered by high profile media outlets
around the world including the Times of India, the Guardian, CNN, El País and Der Spiegel:
India, Brazil and South Africa dragged their heels on a Security Council resolution that would have allowed for strong
international action on Syria. Still, they remain committed to democracy and peace and have called for an end to the
brutality of Assad's regime. We can hold them to account for their actions and demand they use their close Syrian ties
to protect the democracy activists. An international human rights delegation could effectively reunite Syrian families
and end the terror of disappearances for good.
The international media has already stepped in to help with our call. Today, major newspapers are launching massive
interactive web tools that tell the stories of disappeared people like Muntaha's son, explain the political crisis in
Syria and link to our petition for urgent action. These newspapers not only reach readers around the globe, but also
reach opinion makers, world leaders and decision makers directly. Our campaign makes this all possible!
When democracy protests rocked the Arab world, Avaaz sprung into action and, with thousands of donations from around the
world, we broke a media blackout in the Middle East -- supporting protesters across Syria and Yemen. Since then, our
network of citizen journalists has generated almost 20% of all TV coverage out of Syria and our work with the emerging
democracy movements has helped build a real alternative to the dictators that refuse to step down. But brutal regimes
are still clinging to power and the courageous activists need our help now. Sign the petition to find Syria's
disappeared and forward to everyone:
Egypt and Tunisia showed that people power can win against oppression. Our global community has supported these
democracy revolutions, helped broadcast the stories of the brave activists and the violence against them, and forced our
governments to action. Now if we act together we can help find the thousands of disappeared Syrians and see the dawn of
a peaceful, democratic nation in Syria.
With hope and determination,
Stephanie, Sam, Wissam, Maria Paz, Rewan, Benjamin, Pascal and the whole Avaaz team
ENDS