Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network in Lebanon organized a symposium on the case of the imprisoned Lebanese Communist struggler for Palestine, Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, held in French prisons for 33 years. The event featured presentations by Lebanese lawyer Fidaa Abdel-Fattah and French organizer Suzanne Le Manceau, representing the Collective for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah in Paris.
The event also marked the launch of the Samidoun Network in Lebanon, coinciding with its establishment in occupied Palestine and as part of the efforts of Samidoun in Palestine and in the diaspora to build a unified Palestinian popular movement to raise awareness of the rights and struggle of Palestinian prisoners and work for their unconditional liberation from Israeli prisons and detention centers.
Human rights lawyer and activist Fidaa Abdel-Fattah delivered the main presentation at the seminar, entitled “The life of a struggler inside the prison.” She discussed the life in struggle of Georges Abdallah, just about to enter his 34th year in French prisons, also focusing on the human rights issues in his case and the importance of popular participation in the campaign to free Georges Abdallah and all political prisoners from French to Israeli prisons, across political and intellectual lines. She also emphasized the need for the Lebanese state and Lebanese officials to carry out their responsibilities in this regard and work to demand Abdallah’s return from the French state.
In addition, activist Suzanne Le Manceau said that the case of comrade Georges Abdallah is part of the struggle against Zionism, imperialism and colonial powers. It is not separate from the struggle of the people in the region for justice and liberation, she emphasized. She gave a brief account of the campaign in France and the ongoing activities for Abdallah’s freedom, including the annual march to Lannemezan prison where he is held, which will take place this year on 21 October.
“This lecture comes as a humble announcement of Samidoun in Lebanon and in Beddawi camp, emphasizing the role of the popular masses, who are the incubator of the Palestinian cause, in the struggle for the liberation of the prisoners,” said Maram Saadi, coordinator of Samidoun in Lebanon. “We look forward to working with all those concerned with the cause of freedom for the prisoners and the campaign of solidarity with Georges Abdallah in Lebanon in particular.” The event closed with participants writing letters and postcards to Abdalllah.
