To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what steps UK officials in Damascus are taking to monitor the ongoing detention of Dr Kamal al-Labwani. (131021)

UK officials, together with their EU colleagues, attend the court cases of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani wherever possible. They are also in regular contact with Dr. al-Labwani’s lawyers and members of his family. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended Dr. al-Labwani’s latest court appearance on 10 April, at which the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. With EU partners We continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what her most recent assessment is of the conditions in which Dr. Kamal al-Labwani is being held; and if she will make a statement. (131332)

Since his last court appearance, Dr. Kamal al-Labwani has been held in solitary confinement at Adra criminal prison. He was released from solitary confinement a few days before his court appearance on 10 April. At this appearance the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was also allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended the trial on 10 April and will continue to follow the progress of the case closely. With EU partners we continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities about human rights in Syria.