Omar Nayef Zayed, the former Palestinian political prisoner living in Bulgaria who is now being pursued by the Israeli state for extradition, is being pressured to leave the Palestinian embassy, where he has taken refuge for the past week. It is critical to pressure the Palestinian embassy to fulfill its responsibilities to Palestinian citizens – especially former prisoners who have struggled for the freedom of their people and suffered Israeli torture and prisons – and protect Omar by providing him sanctuary. CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a sovereign state’s embassy is inviolate and must not be entered by the host country except with permission by the head of the embassy. Palestine has been formally recognized as a state by Bulgaria since 1988 and both countries are signatories of the Vienna Convention. Bulgarian police are seeking to arrest Omar Nayef Zayed at the behest of an Israeli extradition request, and Omar – a Palestinian from Jenin, living in Bulgaria since 1994 – sought refuge in his embassy. Now, he is being pressured to leave the embassy and threatened with expulsion because his case poses political challenges for the Palestinian Authority.
“It is a fundamental duty of a Palestinian embassy to protect its citizens threatened with arrest and persection by the Israeli state for their participation in the Palestinian liberation struggle. The Palestinian embassy in Bulgaria carries the responsibility for the life and safety of Omar Nayef Zayed and must not allow him to be placed in danger. We demand that Ambassador Ahmed Al-Madbuh fulfill his responsibilities and protect Omar’s life,” said Mohammed Khatib of Samidoun Europe.
Hundreds of people around the world have written and called Bulgarian officials on Omar’s behalf, while Palestinian supporters have protested for Omar in cities throughout Palestine and internationally. Action is needed now to pressure the embassy to protect Omar and stop any attempts to expel him or deny him protection.
CALL the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria at (+359)29634324 and urge them to protect Omar:
- Emphasize your support for Omar Nayef Zayed and that it is the responsibility of the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria to protect Omar
- Demand that Ambassador Ahmad Al-Madbuh protect Omar Nayef Zayed and stop any attempts to remove him from the embassy
FAX the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria at (+359) 29632571 and urge them to protect Omar. In order to send an international fax for free online, use http://gotfreefax.com. Send the following sample message or your own:
Dear Ambassador Ahmed Al-Madbuh,
I am writing about the case of Omar Nayef Zayed. Omar Zayed is a Palestinian ex-prisoner and struggler for Palestinian freedom who, after 22 years in Bulgaria, is being threatened with being ripped away from his wife and children and sent back to Israeli prisons.
It is the responsibility of the Palestinian embassy in Bulgaria to protect Omar Nayef Zayed, to provide him refuge and do all it can to advocate for him and protect him. I am appalled by reports that the embassy is pressuring Omar Zayed to leave when he needs its protection most. Omar’s life and safety is in your hands – and it is your responsibility to protect him.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
EMAIL the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria: email [email protected] or use the form below:
Dear Ambassador Ahmed Al-Madbuh,
I am writing about the case of Omar Nayef Zayed. Omar Zayed is a Palestinian ex-prisoner and struggler for Palestinian freedom who, after 22 years in Bulgaria, is being threatened with being ripped away from his wife and children and sent back to Israeli prisons.
It is the responsibility of the Palestinian embassy in Bulgaria to protect Omar Nayef Zayed, to provide him refuge and do all it can to advocate for him and protect him. I am appalled by reports that the embassy is pressuring Omar Zayed to leave when he needs its protection most. Omar’s life and safety is in your hands – and it is your responsibility to protect him.
Sincerely,
