URGENT ALERT: Slovakia - Supreme Court Decision for the Extradition Mustapha Labsi to Algeria 20 February 2008 The Supreme Court recently decided to allow ‘terror’ suspect Mustapha Labsi to be extradited to Algeria to face possible torture. --------------------------------------------------------------- Islamic Human Rights Commission --------------------------------------------------------------- 20 February 2008 Alert: Slovak Supreme Court Decision for the Extradition Mustapha Labsi to Algeria 1. Summary 2. Action required 3. Sample letters 1. Summary Although the Algerian government has assured Slovak authorities that Labsi would be allowed a new and fair trial upon his return, the Slovak Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow Labsi to be returned to Algeria undoubtedly places him under serious risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in light of their long history of human rights violations. Likewise, for Slovakia to extradite a person to a country in which they face significant risk of potential torture would greatly compromise the country’s obligations under international law. 2. Action required a) Write to the Slovak Ambassador in your country, urging him/her to urge the Slovak Minister of Justice, Stefan Harabin, to stop Mustapha Labsi’s extradition to Algeria and to the risk of being tortured UK campaigners can write to: HE Mr Juraj Zervan Embassy of the Slovak Republic 25 Kensington Palace Gardens London W8 4QY 3. Sample letters -------------------------------------------------------- A sample letter is given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is extremely important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sample letter to the Slovak Ambassador in your country (UK campaigners can use the address supplied) [Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] HE Mr Juraj Zervan Embassy of the Slovak Republic 25 Kensington Palace Gardens London W8 4QY Dear Mr Juraj Zervan, Re: Court Decision allowing extradition of Mustapha Labsi I am very concerned at Slovakia’s recent Supreme Court Decision to allow ‘terror’ suspect and Algerian-native Mustapha Labsi to be extradited to Algeria. Returning Labsi to Algeria certainly places him under serious risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in view of their poor human rights record. Also, it would violate Slovakia’s obligations under international law for them to send a person to a country in which they face significant risk of potential torture. I kindly request you to urge the Slovak Minister of Justice, Stefan Harabin, to stop Mustapha Labsi’s extradition to Algeria and to the risk of being tortured. I look forward to hearing back from you soon regarding this urgent matter. Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name] For more information, please contact the office on the numbers or email below: Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 598 Wembley HA9 7XH United Kingdom Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222 Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183 Email: info@ihrc.org Web: www.ihrc.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Please help IHRC by visiting http://www.ihrc.org.uk/catalog and making a donation or buying an item from our on-line store. If you want to subscribe to the IHRC list please send an email to subscribe@ihrc.org If you want to unsubscribe from the IHRC list please send an email from your subscribed email address to unsubscribe@ihrc.org If you are reusing this alert, please cite the source. For more information, please contact the office on the numbers or email below. “And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.” Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75 Join the Struggle for Justice. Join IHRC. Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 598 Wembley HA9 7XH United Kingdom Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222 Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183 Email: info@ihrc.org Web: www.ihrc.org Recommend this article to a friend Your name: Your friend's email address: