Letter from Abdullah Faisal to Le Monde, Le Figaro, Liberation, Lorient, Lejour Alsafa

This is a very rough translation from information published on the Oedipe site (mentioned in the previous blog) dated 27th October. It is done with Google translation software plus a bit of common sense plus a french dictionary - it is not 100% accurate, but I think it conveys the message. It is a letter from Rafah's husband to several newspapers to remind them of the importance of care in reporting this case - Rafah is not a political agitator, but a psychoanalyst trying to help people think and speak about the fear they feel in the current situation. Through this act of speaking, the chances of acting out are reduced, not increased. JL

Le Monde, Le Figaro, Liberation, Lorient, Lejour Alsafa

About the arrest of Mrs. Nached Rafah, Syrian psychoanalyst
Dear Sirs,

You have recently published information on the arrest of the Syrian analyst Rafah Nached (66 years old who has health problems) at the airport in Damascus, 10 September 2011. She is still being held five days after her dissappearance at the hands of the military security services. Thank you for all the clear and correct information that you have published to support our request for her release. However, we want to inform you that Madame Nached has never exercised any political activities or any kind of activity other than the work of psychoanalysis. At the beginning of the dramatic events currently taking place in Syria, she undertook a project working with group therapy with a colleague, also a Jesuit psychoanalyst. This work was based on psychodrama and took the place of prayer of the Jesuits in Damascus. One day, an AFP journalist witnessed a scene of psychodrama on fear. Following that, he published an article on psychodrama, and although he had been asked not to name names of those present, he mentioned the name of Madame Rafah in his article. You will find enclosed the article from AFP and the correspondence between Madame Nached and the journalist Sammy Ketz, an article which caused her arrest certainly and has put her life in danger. We want you to give your testimony in this matter to help us get her released. As for the newspaper L'Orient le Jour, it published a cartoon and provided her name, thus adding fuel to the fire and increasing the danger of her life in prison. Thank you for your attention and we ask that you publish this letter in your journal. Abdullah Faisal Professor of History at the University of Damascus Mrs. Mari Rafah Nached
--------------------- Rafah Nached IS jailed in a women's prison. She Is Allowed Two weekly visits (duration: 30 minutes). Her Health is more and more Worrying. Her husband (Professor Faisal Abdallah) Told Me That today visited Her. However, Rafah was unable to remain standing for the 30 minutes of their meeting. We have put petitions in circulation, a number of collected signatures. This is not enough. Rafah is accused of promoting upheaval, promoting the overthrow of the government and disrespect for public order. She risks seven years in jail. Houria Abdelouahed Université Paris Diderot.