List of 716 people arrested during protests between 9 April - 2 May 2011 » File

22-year-old Mr Al Hamada, is a Syrian student normally attending business school. We fear that he might have been arrested as a hostage by the Syrian authorities as the latter search for relatives of Mr Al Hamada who are actively involved in the growing Syrian opposition movement.

Alkarama applauds the UN Human Rights Council for passing resolution S-16/1, at its special session on Syria on 29 April 2011, formally condemning the Syrian government for its use of force against peaceful pro-democracy protestors.

Hicham Gherras, a 43-year-old Moroccan national, was arrested by Political Security agents on 18 February 2011 in Sanaa. Despite promises that he would be freed, he is currently detained and subject to torture. Subsequently, he began a hunger strike on 10 April 2011 and has since been hospitalised.

On 20 April 2011 Alkarama addressed an urgent appeal to the Special Rapporteur on Torture, requesting his intervention with the Yemeni authorities in order that he be freed immediately - or at least that he be charged a competent legal authority.

Alkarama has submitted to the UN Human Rights Special Procedures the names of 359 individuals arrested following their alleged participation in protests in Syria.

Alkarama is deeply concerned by the Syria security forces' continued use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators in Syria, and is informed that the Syrian army has setup a blockade around the port city of Banias, northwest of Syria. The blockade follows an intensification by the Syrian forces long disturbance that has left many dead throughout Syria.

On Sunday night 10 April 2011, Banias was cordoned off by the military and as tanks fanned out, access to medical services was blocked and communications interrupted.