Beirut, March 24: The Lebanese Association for Human Rights declared its solidarity with Dr. Muhamad Mugraby in a press release it issued in Beirut. The association made the following statement:

The Association takes the position that challenging the jurisdiction of the military courts in an opinion which constitutes a legal point of view is a valuable and serious matter and should be upheld. For the powers given to the military courts reduce the powers of the natural judge and violate the internationally recognized standards of fair trial.

The prosecution of the human rights activist and legal scholar attorney Dr. Muhamad Mugraby before the military court for his objection to the powers of such courts and other extraordinary courts is in violation of the freedom of opinion and expression and the international resolutions for the protection of human rights defenders. We declare our solidarity with him, as well as with all holders of opinions even those we do not agree with, and demand that charges against him be discontinued.