Articles for Syria

Syria: 58 confirmed dead in recent protests

Alkarama expresses its deep concern over the Syrian authorities use of lethal force against peaceful protestors during on-going demonstrations across Syria. 58 people are confirmed dead. Syrians continue to demonstrate against government corruption and are demanding political and legal reforms, particularly the abolition of the Emergency Law.

Protests began in Syria on 15 March 2011 and as part of the wave of pro-democracy demonstrations across the Middle East.

29 Mar 2011

Syria: Six killed in Daraa protests, cases sent to UN

Alkarama condemns the excessive use of force by Syrian security forces against peaceful demonstrators. Protesters have recently taken to the streets of Daraa, in southwestern Syria on the border with Jordan, demanding reforms. Calls are for an end to government corruption and the abolition of Syria's Emergency Law, in place since 1963. Protesters are also calling for the release of detainees arrested admits peaceful demonstrations or for having encouraged protests.

20 Mar 2011

Syria: Haithem Al-Maleh released

Haitham Al-Maleh, a prominent Syrian human rights defender and laureate of the 2010 Alkarama Award, was released from Damascus Central Prison (Adra prison) today and finally reunited with his family. Al-Maleh was released following a presidential amnesty freeing certain prisoners, including those over the age of 70.

08 Mar 2011

Syria: persecution of many peaceful demonstrators and bloggers for having exercised their right to the freedom of expression and association

Alkarama was informed that over the last month many peaceful demonstrators, human rights defenders, political activists and bloggers were arrested or threatened all over Syria. They allegedly called for or participated peaceful demonstrations with the aim of improving the human rights situation and fight against corruption in Syria in the context of a wave of peaceful popular protests in the Arab region calling for democratic change. Peaceful sit-ins took place in Bab Tuma square on 2 February 2011, for example, or near the Libyan Embassy in Damascus on 22 February 2011.

07 Mar 2011

Syria: Mohammed Al-Braidy Forcibly Disappeared for over 19 Months

Mohamed Al-Braidy, a 42-year-old father of four from Jamlah, was arrested outside his home on 25 July 2009 by plainclothed Syrian Airforce Intelligence officers. The Syrian authorities have yet to inform his family of Mohamed's whereabouts.

As a measure to put pressure on the Syrian authorities to release information regarding his arrest and detention, Alkarama sent Mohamed Al-Braidy's case to the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances.

Mohammed Saad Eddin Al-Braidy is a farmer from Jamlah in the Naheyet Al-Shajara area of Daraa in southern Syria.

04 Mar 2011

Syria: Adnan Zaitoun Forcibly Disappeared For Over 14 Years

Adnan Zeitoun, a 59-year-old Syrian salesman and father of seven, was arrested on 2 February 1997 by plainclothes Syrian intelligence officer in Khan Arnea, in the Al-Kuneitera region, southwest Syria.

04 Mar 2011

Syria: Ziad Ramadan sentenced to 6 years, despite UN opinion calling for his release

Ziad Ramadan, the 35 year old Syrian detained by the authorities as a "key witness" in the investigation of the assassination of Hariri, was sentenced to 6 years on Monday in a trial which seriously violates international legal norms. This sentence comes despite the United Nation's call for the Syrian authorities to "immediately release Mr. Ramadan and accord him reparation".

23 Feb 2011

Syria: 19 year-old female student sentenced to 5 years imprisonment

Tal Al-Malllouhi, the 19 year-old student and blogger from Homs arrested in December 2009, was sentenced on 14 February 2011 to 5 years of imprisonment by the High Court of State Security in Damascus.

15 Feb 2011