The UK foreign secretary, David Miliband, should use his visit to Syria to raise human rights concerns, Human Rights Watch said today. In particular, Miliband should urge the Syrian government to release activists detained solely for exercising freedom of expression and association. He should also urge the Syrian authorities to make public all information about [...]

Tags: Syria, UK

Leave a comment »

Damascus Declaration Trial a Transparent Bid to Silence Critics
Syria’s sentencing of a dozen leading democracy advocates to more than two years in prison is the latest evidence of Syria’s repression of opposition groups, Human Rights Watch said today. The democracy activists, including doctors, lawyers, writers, and an artist, were sentenced on October 29, 2008 to [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

The Syrian authorities must immediately release 12 activists who have been victims of an unfair trial which could see them sentenced for up to 15 years in prison, Amnesty International said today.
“Syria must put an end to its policy of silencing peaceful dissent and punishing people who dare to speak out,” said Philip Luther, Deputy [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

(Sarajevo, October 17, 2008) — Amnesty International, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Human Rights Watch called upon authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina today not to deport Imad Al Husein (also known as Abu Hamza al-Suri, his nom de guerre) to Syria.
The organizations say that, if deported, he faces a [...]

Tags: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria

Leave a comment »

Damascus Authorities Repress Basic Freedoms
French President Nicolas Sarkozy should use his visit to Syria on September 3 and 4, 2008, to raise human rights concerns with President Bashar al-Asad, Human Rights Watch said today. In particular, Sarkozy should urge Asad to release activists detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. [...]

Tags: France, Syria

Leave a comment »

The Syrian government should immediately release three women detained by state authorities since July 31, 2008, unless they have evidence that these women have committed criminal offenses and intend to try them for these, Human Rights Watch said today.
The women live in al-`Otayba, a village approximately 20 km east of Damascus, and are the wives [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

The Syrian authorities unexpectedly released Dr. Aref Dalilah on Thursday following a presidential amnesty. Dalilah is the former Dean of the Faculty of Economics of Aleppo University and was a well known prisoner of conscience in Syria.
Amnesty International has welcomed the release, noting that it is long overdue and hopes it will be followed by [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

Government Should Release All Jailed for Peaceful Dissent
Syria’s release of prominent activist `Aref Dalila on August 7, 2008, after seven years in detention, is welcome, but the government should also free dozens more detainees being held for nonviolent political activities, Human Rights Watch said today.
Link to HRW

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

Two Weeks After Shootings, Still No Official Information on Deaths or Injuries
The Syrian government should order an independent investigation into the deadly shooting of inmates by military police at Sednaya prison two weeks ago and make the findings public, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also called on the authorities to immediately make [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »

Engagement With Damascus Should Include Human Rights
Western countries looking to increase engagement with Syria should know that Syrian authorities continue to arrest, try, and harass political and human rights activists, Human Rights Watch said today. In May 2008, Syrian authorities detained a political writer, began the trial of two activists, and restricted the travel of [...]

Tags: Syria

Leave a comment »