WPCA wa3 !(Ѓ[ r'q}9uxgTb?ʛU[Qyd{{v>EGmOOW9(ۉNY-Z6@ض7 n@238XHg5\'8-Q})l*R&Xc4D*e%u%n5i.q_Q4\}&ad^&2 qz#:P``v޲*`b#Q #u/lC} JqbRj 6NwKN"Ai rCKY{I&ȥ9כ3NSJ&2oQ\9΢dWs˜5„^ Ӆb C,Kx5L >uG>K;Fn3oiu WiFq|P0Q#̿CGCpZ܅l$P[p7]5NgiV 35̩oY4#UN % 0: 0' 0 0 0 0 0 0 0j 0C 0 0 0 0 0w 0G 0 0 0 0i 0D 0 0 0 0 0^ 0' 0 0 0| 0<2 0n 0 , 0  0C!U!>+" 0i"h"jT'.|<NTA^ VAwbA4fAzAA mAHP LaserJet 6P/6MP - Standard0(hH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($UKUS.,2G+J 0_level1  X /% 9 AIQ/23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2D+J 0_level2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2A+J 0_level3   ) AIQ)23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2>+J 0_level4  ` &AIQ&23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2;+J 0_level5   #AAIQ#23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  28+J 0_level6    IQ 23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  25+J 0_level7  h IQ23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  22+J 0_level8   IIQ23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2/+J 0_level9    Q23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2GJ 0_levsl1  X /% 9 AIQ/23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2DJ 0_levsl2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2AJ 0_levsl3   ) AIQ)23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2>J 0_levsl4  ` &AIQ&23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2;J 0_levsl5   #AAIQ#23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  28J 0_levsl6    IQ 23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  25J 0_levsl7  h IQ23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  22J 0_levsl8   IIQ23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2/J 0_levsl9    Q23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2GJ 0_levnl1  X /% 9 AIQ/23   2( 9 AIQ2  2DJ 0_levnl2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23   2( 9 AIQ2  2AJ 0_levnl3   ) AIQ)23   2( 9 AIQ2  2>J 0_levnl4  ` &AIQ&23   2( 9 AIQ2  2;J 0_levnl5   #AAIQ#23   2( 9 AIQ2  28J 0_levnl6    IQ 23   2( 9 AIQ2  25J 0_levnl7  h IQ23   2( 9 AIQ2  22J 0_levnl8   IIQ23   2( 9 AIQ2  2/J 0_levnl9    Q23   2( 9 AIQ2  6K >4heading 1     UK XXX      US   XXX6@ 34heading 3   UK XXX    US   XXX<:Default Para0GG.footer   ! UK XXX US    !XXX<00:endnote text   UK XXX US   XXX<rr:endnote refe XXXS'\  `&Times New RomanS S'\  `&Times New RomanSXXX($    \  `&Times New Roman(B2$ !UKUS.,    0   ^ !UKUS.,  _'XXXX @  @ ?+' '/ 7?G X?$ @ UKUK.,'XXX'X   @   $  _ % 'XXh'X'XXh'X    i  %N'XXX'X'XXX'X  ݀Thefilecontainsadocumentdated12July1995certifyingtheauthorsmembership ` in_ KDP_ -Europe,basedinLondon;thedocumentstatesthattheauthor,whosenameismisspelled, P wasapartymemberandhad takenpartintheresistancemovementandinthestruggleforpeace @ anddemocracy.$݌ 0 ЌUK.,UK., @ 'XXX'X   @ USUK., ` !UKUS.,  _'XXXX @  @ $ @ UKUK.,'XXX'X   @   $r  _% 'XXh'X'XXh'X    ii  %'XXX'X'XXX'X  ݀_KARK_ԀappearstobeaKurdishacademicandintellectualsociety.Thefilecontainsthe ` associationsstatutesandwrittentestimonyfromMr.A.M.,aresidentofLausanne,whoon6March P 1996saidthathehadvisitedtheSyrianArabRepublicinJuly1991inordertocollectmaterialon @ thehumanrightssituationoftheKurds.Hestatesthattothatendhesoughtthehelpof_KDP_ԄIraq 0 localoffices.Hewasaccompaniedonhistravelsbytheauthor(whosenameisagainmisspelled),   whohadbeenintroducedtohimassomeonewhowasveryactiveinthe_KDP_ԄIraqmovementand ! whohadthereforebeenfollowedandarrestedseveraltimesbytheSyriansecurityservices.The " authorhadtoldhimthatbecauseofhismembershipin_KDP_ԄIraq,hislifeandthelivesofhisfamily # memberswereindanger,andthathecouldnolongerremaininthecountrybecausehewas $ constantlybeingfollowedbythesecretservice.$r݌ %  ЌUK.,UK., @ 'XXX'X   @ USUK.,  !UKUS.,  _'XXXX @  @  @  @ $ @ UKUK.,'XXX'X   @   $  _% 'XXh'X'XXh'X    iii  %%'XXX'X'XXX'X  ݀Thecertificatewasdrawnupbythe_H=pitaux_Ԁ_universitaires_ԀdeGenveon20August1996atthe `'" requestoftheauthorscounsel.Itisbasedontwointerviewswiththeauthorandsetsforththefacts P(# aspresentedbyhimwithdetailsoftheactsoftorturetowhichhewasallegedlysubjected.With @)$ regardtohisphysicalcondition,thedoctorsdescribeitasbeingwithinthe_boundsofnormalitybut 0*% mentionanumberofscarsonhisbody(afinebowshapedscaratthebaseofthefirsttoeofhisright  +p& foot,threeroundscarsonhislefthandandwrist,andastar-shapedscaronhisleftcheek).With ,`' regardtohispsychologicalcondition,theysaythattheauthorwascooperative,withsoundtemporal -P( andspatialorientationandwithoutmajormemorydisorders,butthathehadtroubleremembering -@) 2 specificdatesaccurately.Theynoteatendencytowardsdissociationwhenscenesofviolencewere  mentioned.Areadingofthemedicalreportprovokedconsiderablenervousnessandagitation.The  doctorsconsiderthattheauthorsdescriptionofthescenesoftorturearecompatiblewithwhatis  knownaboutthetreatmentofopponentsoftheregimeinSyrianprisons,especiallyMezzeprison  (seeAmnestyInternationalReport1994,pp.319322).Thescarscorrespondtohisdescriptionof p thetortureheallegedlysuffered,andthelesionsareprobablythesequelaeoftorture.Takingthis `  andhispsychologicalconditionintoaccount,thedoctorsdiagnoseposttraumaticstresssyndrome P  (PTSS),acharacteristicdisorderoftorturevictims.Thedoctorsgoontostatethat wetherefore @  concludethattherehasbeenaflagrantviolationofhumanrights.Underthesecircumstancesand 0  inviewofthefactthattheKurdishissueinSyriahasnotbeensettled,thereturnof[theauthor]to  p  hiscountrywouldcondemnhimtorenewedactsofviolence....Thedoctorsfurtherconcludethat `  thePTSSisinremissionforthetimebeingbecausetheauthorfeelssafeinSwitzerland.His P  refoulementwouldprobablyleadtoareturnofthesymptoms,whoseseriousnessshouldnotbe @  underestimated.Moreover,asfarastreatmentisconcerned,thedoctorsstatethat,totheir 0  knowledge,thetypeofmedicalcareneededtostabilizetheauthorscondition(physiotherapyand   supportivepsychotherapy)donotexistintheSyrianArabRepublic.$݌  ЌUK.,UK., @ 'XXX'X   @ USUK., r !UKUS.,  _'XXXX @  @  @  @  @  @  @ $ @ UKUK.,'XXX'X   @   $  _% 'XXh'X'XXh'X    iv  %F'XXX'X'XXX'X  ݀Inthisconnection,theStatepartyreferstotheCommitteesjurisprudence,inparticular  communications_I.A.O._Ԁv.Sweden(65/1997)andX,YandZv.Sweden(61/1996),inwhichthe  Committee,whilefindingthatmedicalcertificatesestablishedthattheauthorshadbeensubjected  totorture,neverthelessconsideredthatithadnotbeenshownthattheauthorswouldbeindanger pp ofbeingsubjectedtotortureiftheywerereturned.USUK.,J(, tQ+ Documex3|x U !UKUS.,  _    COMMITTEEAGAINSTTORTURE  X.Y.v.Switzerland  CommunicationNo.128/1999 p 15May2001 P  VIEWS   p  Submittedby:_X.Y._Ԁ(namedeleted) @     ` [representedbycounsel] 0  Allegedvictim:Theauthor  Stateparty:Switzerland  Dateofthecommunication:2March1999    TheCommitteeagainstTorture,establishedunderarticle17oftheConventionagainst P TortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment, @     Meetingon15May2001,  p       HavingconcludeditsconsiderationofcommunicationNo.128/1999,submittedtothe P CommitteeagainstTortureunderarticle22oftheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel, @ InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment, 0       Havingtakenintoaccountallinformationmadeavailablebytheauthorofthe ! communicationandtheStateparty, "        Adoptsthefollowingdecision: $"   1.1  Theauthorofthecommunication,Mr.X.Y.,bornon20March1960,isaSyriannational `'"% ofKurdishorigin.HecurrentlyresidesinSwitzerland,whereheappliedforpoliticalasylum.His P(#& applicationwasrejected,andhemaintainsthathisforciblerepatriationtotheSyrianArabRepublic @)$' wouldconstituteaviolationbySwitzerlandofarticle3oftheConventionagainstTortureandOther 0*%( Cruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment.HehasaskedtheCommitteetotake  +p&) emergencymeasures,sinceatthetimehesubmittedhiscommunicationhewasliabletoimminent ,`'* expulsion.Heisrepresentedbycounsel. -P(+  -@), 1.2  Inaccordancewitharticle22,paragraph3,oftheConvention,theCommitteetransmittedthe  communicationtotheStatepartyon12March1999.AtthesametimetheStatepartywas  requested,pursuanttorule108,paragraph9,oftheCommitteesrulesofprocedure,nottoexpelthe  authortotheSyrianArabRepublicwhilehiscommunicationwasunderconsiderationbythe  Committee.Inasubmissiondated12May1999theStatepartyinformedtheCommitteethatsteps p hadbeentakentoensurethattheauthorwasnotreturnedtotheSyrianArabRepublicwhilehiscase `  waspendingbeforetheCommittee. P   Thefactsassubmittedbytheauthor  0  !  UKUK.,XXXX    !o   !o   Ԍ̌ UK.,UK.,  XXXX    2.1  TheauthorclaimsthathehasbeenamemberoftheKurdistanDemocraticPartyin `  Iraq(_KDP_ԄIraq)_% XXhX'XXhX  USUK.,_%1 XXX'XXXXX_  !_ ) &  i      _since1980.Assuch,heallegedlyparticipatedinvariousactivitiesofthat P  organization,chieflybytransportingfundstosupportKurdsinIraqandbydistributingpamphlets @  deploringthesituationoftheSyrianKurds,whohadbeenstrippedoftheirnationalitybytheSyrian 0  State.     2.2  TheauthorclaimsthathewastwicearrestedbytheSyriansecurityforces.Thefirst  time,duringtheIraqiinvasionofKuwait,hewasinpossessionoffundsintendedforIraq.Hewas  freedafter18days,onlyafteralargesumofmoneyhadbeenpaidbyhisfamilyforhisrelease.The  secondarrestreportedlytookplacein1993.Onthatoccasion,theauthorwasheldfor96daysin  _Mezze_ԀprisonnearDamascusandwasreportedlytortured.Hewasreleasedonlyafterswearingto p forgoanypoliticalactivitiesinthefuture.Hisfamilyagainpaidapproximately6,000UnitedStates ` dollarstosecurehisrelease. P 2.3  Subsequently,however,theauthorcontinuedhispoliticalactivities.InMarch1995hewas 0 warnedbyafamilymemberwhohadreportedlyreceivedinformationfromthesecurityservicesthat  p hewasgoingtobearrestedonceagain.Theauthorthendecidedtofleethecountryandcrossedthe ` borderintoLebanonillegally.HeleftLebanonbyboatinMarch,butitisnotclearwhenhearrived P inEurope.Nevertheless,on10April1995heappliedforpoliticalasyluminSwitzerland,largely @ onthebasisofhisallegedpersecutionintheSyrianArabRepublic. 0 2.4  Theauthorsrequestforasylumwasturneddownon28May1996bytheFederalOfficefor ! Refugeesasbeingimplausible,and15August1996wassetasthedeadlinefortheauthorsdeparture "  fromSwissterritory.SubsequentlytheauthorappealedagainstthatdecisiontotheSwissAppeal #! CommissiononAsylumMatters,supportinghisappealwithamedicalreportcertifyingthathemight $" havebeentorturedinthepast.TheAppealCommissiondismissedtheappealon8July1996, % # declaringitinadmissibleonthegroundsthatthedeadlineforsubmissionofanappealhadnotbeen p&!$ met. `'"% 2.5  On8August1996theauthorsubmittedarequestforreconsiderationofhiscase(an @)$' extraordinaryrecourseallowingforreviewofdecisionsthathadalreadybeenexecuted)by 0*%( theFederalOfficeforRefugees.Theapplicantspecificallyrequestedthatitshouldbenoted  +p&) thatexecutionofhisexpulsionfromSwitzerlandconstitutedaviolationoftheprincipleof ,`'* non-_refoulement_ԀsetoutintheConventionontheStatusofRefugees(art.33),theprohibitionof -P(+ torturecontainedinarticle3oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRightsandarticles2and3of -@), theConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment.  TheFederalOfficeforRefugeesrejectedtherequestforreconsiderationon9August1996,  maintainingthattheapplicanthadnotpresentedanynewfactsorevidencebutwasmerelyseeking  tohavethefactssetoutinhisinitialappealconsideredinadifferentlight.(TheFederalOfficefor  RefugeesalsoorderedtheimmediateexecutionoftheapplicantsexpulsionfromSwitzerland,on p thegroundsthatitwasnotcontrarytoSwitzerlandslegislativeortreatyobligations.) `  2.6  On8September1996theauthorappealedagainstthedecisionoftheFederalOfficefor @  Refugees.Inthelightofthenewappeal,inwhichtheauthorsoughttoprovethatexecutionofhis 0  expulsionwaswrongfulundertheConventionrelatingtotheStatusofRefugeesandtheConvention  p  againstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,theSwissAppeal `  CommissiononAsylumMatterssuspendedexecutionoftheexpulsionandauthorizedtheauthorto P  remaininSwitzerlandpendingtheoutcomeofhisappeal.TheFederalOfficeforRefugeeswas @  consultedinthecontextofthatappeal,andon29April1997ituphelditspositionthatthe 0  applicantsexpulsiontotheSyrianArabRepublicwouldplacehiminphysicaldanger.Aspartof   thesameappeal,theauthorscounselmaintainedhisconclusionson20May1997.  2.7  TheappealwasconsideredonthemeritsandrejectedbyadecisionoftheAppeals  Commissiondated18June1998;theCommissionheldthattheapplicanthadnotprovidedgrounds  forreconsiderationofhiscaseandthathefacednorealriskoftortureshouldhebesentbacktothe  SyrianArabRepublic.FollowingthatdecisiontheauthorwasinvitedtoleaveSwissterritoryby15 p February1999. `  Meritsofthecomplaint  @   3.  TheauthorbaseshiscomplaintontheallegationthatifheissentbacktotheSyrianArab  p RepublicbySwitzerlandherisksbeingsubjectedtocruel,inhumananddegradingtreatment; ` specifically,herisksbeingtorturedbytheauthorities.Healsobelievesthat,ifsentback,hewould P risktorturebecausehelefttheSyrianArabRepublicillegally.Intheauthorsview,itisclearthat @ aconsistentpatternofgross,flagrantandmassiveviolationsofhumanrightsexistsinthatcountry 0 which,underarticle3,paragraph2,oftheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,Inhumanor   DegradingTreatmentorPunishment,constitutecircumstancesthataStatepartymusttakeinto ! accountwhendecidingtoexpelsomeone.Consequently,theauthorbelievesthatSwitzerlandshould "  notexpelhim,orelseriskviolatingtheConvention. #!   ObservationsbytheStatepartyonadmissibility  % # 4.1  Initsnotedated12May1999,theStatepartydescribesthevariousstagesoftheprocess `'"% followedbytheauthorinseekingasylum.Itspecificallyfaultstheauthorfornotmeetingthe P(#& deadlinesforappealingagainstthedecisionbytheFederalOfficeforRefugeesnottograntpolitical @)$' asylum.TheStatepartyclaimsthatfailuretomeetthedeadlineforfilinganappealmadeit 0*%( necessaryfortheSwissAppealCommissiononAsylumMatterstoconductanextraordinaryreview  +p&) ofthecase,basedsolelyontheexistingcasefile,inordertodeterminewhethertheapplicantfaced ,`'* anobviousriskofpersecutionortreatmentthatviolatedhumanrightsinhiscountryoforigin.That -P(+ review,accordingtotheStateparty,wasnarrowerinscopethanthereviewthattheAppeal -@), Commissionwouldhaveconductedhadtheappealbeenfiledthroughregularchannels.  Nevertheless,theStatepartydeclaresthatitdoesnotcontesttheadmissibilityofthecommunication.   TheauthorscommentsontheStatepartysobservationsonadmissibility   !  UKUS.,XXXX    !y/  !y//  /Ԍ̌ US.,UK.,  XXXX    5.1  TheauthoraddresseshiscommentstotheobservationsmadebytheStatepartyon28June `  1999.HeacknowledgesthatthereviewprocessfocussedexclusivelyonwhetherSwitzerlandhad P  compliedwithitsinternationalobligationsandnotonSwisslegislationgoverningasylum.The @  authorreferstothejurisprudenceoftheSwissAppealCommissiononAsylumMatters(_JICRA_ 0  1995,No.5),whichstatesthat anapplicantforasylumhadtheright,independentlyofformal  p  questionsofdeadlines,tohavethequestionofwhetherhisorherexpulsionwasexecutedin `  accordancewiththeprincipleofnon_refoulement_Ԁ(article33oftheConventionrelatingtotheStatus P  ofRefugees)ortheprohibitionoftortureandotherinhumantreatment(article3oftheEuropean @  ConventiononHumanRightsorarticle3oftheConventionagainstTorture)consideredatanytime. 0  Theseprinciplesareinfactheldtobeabsolute,andtheexpiryofaproceduraldeadlinecannotbe   usedtojustifytheirviolation.    5.2  Accordingly,theauthordeclaresthatthedecisionissuedbytheSwissAppealCommission  onAsylumMatterson18January1999,fromthestandpointofarticle3oftheConventionagainst  TortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,concernedthequestion  oftheriskoftorturehefacedifhewassentbacktotheSyrianArabRepublic.Thisproves,inthe p authorsview,thatthequestiononwhichtheCommitteewasbeingaskedtorulehadalreadybeen ` consideredbythecompetentnationalauthority. P  ObservationsbytheStatepartyonthemerits  0   UK.,US.,6.1  TheStatepartytransmitteditsremarksonthemeritsofthecommunicationon13September ` 1999.Itreviewedtheprocedurefollowedinthecaseandstatedthatwithregardtothefinaldecision P ЄthattakenbytheAppealCommissionon18January1999theAppealCommissionhadconducted @ areviewthatwasnarrowerinscopethanwouldhavebeenthecasehadtheauthorfollowedthe 0 ordinaryappealprocedures.     6.2  TheStatepartycontendsthatthecommunicationcontainsnonewinformationbeyondthat "  consideredwhenthecasewasdealtwiththroughnationalprocedures. #! 6.3  Secondly,theStatepartypointsoutthattheauthorhadnotprovidedanyevidencetosupport % # severalofhisallegations,particularlywithregardtothestatementthathehadbeendetainedina p&!$ prisoninDamascusfor96hoursforhavingcriticizedtheregimeandthathehadbeenreleasedonly `'"% afterhisfamilyhadpaidmoneyandhehadsignedastatementrenouncingpolitics.Theauthors P(#& releasewasnotdocumented.TheStatepartyalsomaintainsthattheactofdistributinganti @)$' Governmentpamphletsoughttohaveresultedinaheavyprisonsentence.Giventhatthepayment 0*%( ofmoneybyhisfamilywasnotprovedandthattheauthorhadbeenreleasedafteronlythreemonths  +p&) ofdetention,theStatepartybelievesthatthiscanbetakentoindicatetheunlikelihoodofthe ,`'* authorsalleged_KDP_Ԁactivities. -P(+  -@), 6.4  TheStatepartythenproceedstoreviewtheoverallhumanrightssituationintheSyrianArab  Republicandcommentonseveralofthedocumentssubmittedbytheauthorwithregardtothe  situationofKurdsinthatcountry.Whilegivingcredencetosomeoftheinformationprovided,it  recallstheCommitteespractice,whichholdsthattheexistenceinacountryofgross,flagrantor  massiveviolationsofhumanrightsdoesnotinitselfconstitutegroundsforstatingthatapersonrisks p beingsubjectedtotortureuponhisorherreturntothatcountry. `  6.5  NexttheStatepartyconsiderstheauthorspersonalsituationwithaviewtoconfirming @  whethertherewereseriousgroundsforadmittingthathewaslikelytobesubjectedtohumanrights 0  violationsintheSyrianArabRepublic.AccordingtotheStateparty,_KDP_ԄIraqwasnotanillegal  p  organizationinIraq;moreover,itappearstohaveenjoyedthesupportoftheauthorities.According `  tovarioussources,theSyriansecurityforcespersecuted_KDP_Ԁactivistsonlyifthesecurityofthe P  SyrianStatewasthreatenedbytheiractionsforexample,activitieshostiletotheSyrianregime, @  whichdoesnotseemtoapplyinthepresentcase.TheStatepartyconcludesthatunderthese 0  circumstancesitcanbeconcludedthattheauthorrannospecialriskofbeingsubjectedtotreatment   inviolationofarticle3oftheConventionifhereturnedtotheSyrianArabRepublic,particularly  astheallegedarrestsdatedbacksixandeightyears.    6.6  TheStatepartymaintainsthatthedocumentsfrom_KARK_ԄSwitzerland% XXhX'XXhX  USUK.,_%GFede XXX'XXXXX  UK.,US.,2H_ * &  ii      _and_KDP_ԄEurope  submittedbytheauthorcertifyingthathewasamemberof_KDP_ԄIraqcannotinthemselvesprove  thattheauthorwaslikelytobesubjectedtoprosecutionortreatmentthatcontravenedarticle3of p theConventionifhewassentbacktohiscountry. `   6.7  AccordingtotheStateparty,theauthorneverreportedthathehadbeensubjectedtotorture, @ eitherduringthehearingsatthetransitcentreortotheFederalOfficeforRefugees.Theauthors 0 counselapparentlyreproachedtheauthoritieswithfailingtoquestionthepetitioneronthatspecific  p point.TheStatepartyrepliesthatitcould legitimatelybeexpectedthatapersonwhosubsequently ` claimedhehadtoleavehiscountryforfearofbeingsubjectedagaintotorturewouldatleast P mentionthiscircumstancewhenquestionedinthehostcountryaboutthereasonsforapplyingfor @ asylum. 0   6.8  TheStatepartyqueriesthefactthattheauthoronlyproducedamedicalcertificatedated20 ! August1996% XXhX'XXhX  USUK.,%NFede XXX'XXXXX  UK.,US.,N_ + &  iii      _statingthathecouldhavebeensubjectedtotortureinthepastwhenheappeared "  beforetheSwissAppealCommissiononAsylumMattersandnotwhenfilinghisinitialapplication #! forasylum.TheStateexpressessurprisethataseekerofasylumongroundsoftorturewaitedto $" havehisapplicationturneddownbeforeproducingamedicalcertificate,whoseevidentialstatuswas, % # moreover,compromisedbythefactthatthreeyearshadpassedsincetheallegedfacts.TheState p&!$ addsthat,evenifoneconsideredtheauthorsallegationthathehadbeensubjectedtotortureinthe `'"% pasttobewellfounded,itdidnotfollowthatheranaforeseeablepersonalandpresentriskofbeing P(#& subjectedtotortureagainifhewasreturnedtotheSyrianArabRepublic.% XXhX'XXhX  USUK.,%SFede XXX'XXXXX  _ , &  iv      _ @)$'   6.9  Withregardtotheauthorsfearsofbeingexposedtoinhumananddegradingtreatmentfor  +p&) havingleftSyrianterritoryillegally,theStatepartynotesthattheauthorsallegationsthathehad ,`'* lefttheSyrianArabRepublicunderthreatofreprisalsbytheSyrianauthoritieslackedcredibility. -P(+ Thereisnoevidencetobacktheclaimthattheauthorsunclehadbeenwarnedofhisimminent -@), arrest.However,evidencethatthepetitionerwasunderthreatatthetimeofleavinghiscountryis,  theStatepartynotes,aprerequisiteforthegrantingofasylum.Moreover,theauthorhasnot  furnishedproofofhavingleftSyrianterritoryillegally.Andevenifhehad,thepenaltyforsuchan  offencewouldbeafineortermofimprisonment,whichcannotbeconsideredtobeabreachof  article3oftheConvention. p 6.10  WithregardtotherisksincurredbytheauthorforhavingappliedforasyluminSwitzerland, P  theStatepartyconsidersthattheSyrianauthoritieswouldnotsubjecthimtoinhumanordegrading @  treatmentsolelyonthataccount,sincetheyareawareofthefactthatmanyoftheirnationalstryin 0  thiswaytoobtainresidencypermitsinEurope.TheStatehasnoconcreteevidencetotheeffectthat  p  asylumseekersreturnedtotheSyrianArabRepublicaresubjectedtotreatmentthatviolatesarticle `  3oftheConvention. P  6.11  Lastly,theStatepartyconsiderstheauthorsallegationthathewouldriskpersecution 0  becauseofhiscloselinksinSwitzerlandwithmovementsthatopposedtheSyrianregime.TheState   partynotesthattheauthorsstatementsonthesubjectareveryvagueandinsubstantial,indicating  thattheactivitiesinquestionwereonaverylimitedscale;otherwise,theauthorwouldhave  describedthemindetailtotheSwissasylumauthoritiesinhisowninterest.  6.12  TheStatepartyconcludesthat,underthecircumstancesandfollowingcarefulscrutinyofthe  case,substantialgroundsdonotexistforbelievingthattheauthorwouldbeindangerofbeing p subjectedtotortureifhewasreturnedtotheSyrianArabRepublic.TheStatepartyreferstothe ` Committeesgeneralcommentof21November1997insupportofitsargumentthatthe P communicationdoesnotcontaintheminimumfactualbasisneededtobackuptheauthors @ allegations.TheStaterequeststheCommitteetofindthatthereturnoftheauthortohiscountryof 0 originwouldnotconstituteaviolationofSwitzerlandsinternationalobligations.  p  TheauthorscommentsontheStatepartysobservations  P   7.1  Theauthorsubmittedhiscommentson14January2000.Withregardtothelackofevidence 0 ofarrestandtorture,hestatesthatthepracticaldifficultiesinvolvedingatheringsuchevidencehave   beenoverlooked.Anyattempttoobtainsuchdocumentsatpresentwouldplacehisfamilyandthose ! connectedwithhimindanger.Heclaimsnottohavereceivedanydocumentonhisreleasethat "  couldserveasproofofhisimprisonment. #!     7.2  TheauthordrawsattentiontoanumberofreportsconcerningthesituationoftheKurdsin % # theSyrianArabRepublic.Inparticular,heclaimsthat,accordingtotheAmnestyInternational p&!$ Report1999,althoughsomeKurdsarrestedin1997werereleasedin1999,otherswerestillinprison `'"% fordistributingpamphletshostiletotheregime. P(#&   7.3  Withregardtothedelayinmakingtheallegationoftorture,theauthorclaimsthatthe 0*%( Committeeitselfhasrepeatedlyemphasizedthatitisquiteunderstandableforatorturevictim  +p&) initiallytoremainsilentabouthissufferings.Astothecertificatecontainingthefindingsoftorture, ,`'* theauthorarguesthattheCommitteedoesnot,inanycase,requireabsoluteproofofariskoffuture -P(+ persecutionbutissatisfiedwithsubstantialgroundsforfearingaviolationoftheConvention.The -@), medicalreportmeetsthecriteriausuallyrequiredandwasissuedbyaninstitutionofthehighest  standing(_H=pitaux_Ԁ_universitaires_ԀdeGenve),sothatnodoubtcanbecastontheconclusionsofthe  medicalexamination.  7.4  WithregardtohisillegaldeparturefromtheSyrianArabRepublic,theauthorstatesthathe p agreeswiththeStatepartyscommentabouttheconsequencesofillegaldepartureinmostcases. `  Inhisowncase,however,givenhispoliticalactivities,hisKurdishoriginandthecircumstancesof P  hisdeparture,itshouldbeborneinmindthathisillegaldeparturecouldbeusedagainsthimandlead @  toassaultsonhisperson,incontraventionofarticle3oftheConvention. 0   IssuesandproceedingsbeforetheCommittee  `    8.1  Beforeconsideringanyoftheallegationsinacommunication,theCommitteeagainstTorture @  mustdecidewhetherornotthecommunicationisadmissibleunderarticle22oftheConvention.It 0  hasascertained,asitisrequiredtodounderarticle22,paragraph5(a),oftheConvention,thatthe   samematterhasnotbeenandisnotbeingexaminedunderanotherprocedureofinternational  investigationorsettlement.Itnotesalsothatalldomesticremedieshavebeenexhaustedandthat  theStatepartyhasnotcontestedtheadmissibilityofthecommunication.Itthereforeconsidersthat  thecommunicationisadmissible.AsboththeStatepartyandtheauthorhaveprovidedobservations  onthemeritsofthecommunication,theCommitteeproceedstoconsiderthosemerits.    8.2  TheissuebeforetheCommitteeiswhethertheforcedreturnoftheauthortotheSyrianArab ` RepublicwouldviolatetheobligationoftheStatepartyunderarticle3oftheConventionnotto P expelorreturnapersontoanotherStatewheretherearesubstantialgroundsforbelievingthatheor @ shewouldbeindangerofbeingsubjectedtotorture. 0 8.3  TheCommitteemustdecide,pursuanttoarticle3,paragraph1,whethertherearesubstantial ` groundsforbelievingthattheauthorwouldbeindangerofbeingsubjectedtotortureuponreturn P totheSyrianArabRepublic.Inreachingthisdecision,theCommitteemusttakeintoaccountall @ relevantconsiderations,pursuanttoarticle3,paragraph2,includingtheexistenceofaconsistent 0 patternofgross,flagrantormassviolationsofhumanrights.Theaimofthedetermination,however,   istoestablishwhethertheindividualconcernedwouldbepersonallyatriskofbeingsubjectedto ! tortureinthecountrytowhichheorshewouldreturn.Theexistenceofaconsistentpatternofgross, "  flagrantormassviolationsofhumanrightsinacountrydoesnotassuchconstituteasufficient #! groundfordeterminingthataparticularpersonwouldbeindangerofbeingsubjectedtotortureupon $" hisorherreturntothecountry.Theremustbeothergroundsindicatingthattheindividual % # concernedwouldbepersonallyatrisk.Similarly,theabsenceofaconsistentpatternofgross p&!$ violationsofhumanrightsdoesnotmeanthatapersonmightnotbesubjectedtotortureinhisorher `'"% specificcircumstances. P(#& 8.4  TheCommitteerecallsitsgeneralcommentontheimplementationofarticle3,whichreads:_ 0*%(  BearinginmindthattheStatepartyandtheCommitteeareobligedtoassesswhetherthereare  +p&) substantialgroundsforbelievingthattheauthorwouldbeindangerofbeingsubjectedtotorture ,`'* werehe/shetobeexpelled,returnedorextradited,theriskoftorturemustbeassessedongrounds -P(+ thatgobeyondmeretheoryorsuspicion.However,theriskdoesnothavetomeetthetestofbeing -@), highlyprobable(A/53/44,annexIX,para.6).  8.5  TheCommitteeexpressesdoubtsaboutthecredibilityoftheauthorspresentationofthe  facts,sincehedidnotinvokehisallegationsoftortureorthemedicalcertificateattestingtothe  possibilityofhishavingbeentortureduntilafterhisinitialapplicationforpoliticalasylumhadbeen p rejected(paras.6.7and6.8ofthepresentdecision). `  8.6  TheCommitteealsotakesintoconsiderationthefactthattheStatepartyhasundertakenan @  examinationoftherisksoftorturefacedbytheauthor,onthebasisofalltheinformationsubmitted. 0  TheCommitteeconsidersthattheauthorhasnotprovideditwithsufficientevidencetoenableitto  p  considerthatheisconfrontedwithaforeseeable,realandpersonalriskofbeingsubjectedtotorture `  intheeventofexpulsiontohiscountryoforigin. P  _ 9.  Consequently,theCommitteeagainstTorture,actingunderarticle22,paragraph7,ofthe 0  ConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,   considersthatthedecisionoftheStatepartytoreturntheauthortotheSyrianArabRepublic  constitutesnoviolationofarticle3oftheConvention.    Notes  UK.,US.,SI