Alkarama Award: Haithem Al-Maleh is 2010 Laureate
GENEVA: On 10 December 2010, Alkarama presented its 2010 Award to Haithem Al-Maleh, the renowned 80 year-old Syrian human rights lawyer, who was unfortunately unable to accept the prize as he is currently detained inside Adra prison in Damascus, Syria.
Nonetheless, the ceremony took place on Friday evening at the Centre International de Conferences de Geneve (www.cicg.ch), in Geneva, Switzerland where Haithem Al-Maleh's son, Iyas Al-Maleh, received the award on his behalf.
The Alkarama Award is annually presented on 10 December, the International Day for Human Rights, to someone who has demonstrated a life-long dedication to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Arab world.
Arrested for criticising the Syrian regime
Haithem Al-Maleh, one of the Arab world's most prominent human rights defender, was kidnapped by Syrian Security forces on 14 October 2009, outside his office in the Damascus. The abduction came just two days after he gave an interview on Barada TV, a London-based Syrian opposition satellite-TV station, during which he criticised the Syrian authorities continued suppression of basic universal freedoms and use of the emergency law to justify numerous human rights violations.
A symbol of freedom
In the ceremonies opening address, Alkarama's President of the Council, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Naimi said, "Today we celebrate the work of a man who symbolises not only freedom, but dignity ... A man who chose to devote his life to defending the values of freedom, justice and human rights."
"Haithem Al-Maleh continues to pay the price for his tireless efforts" conceded Al-Naimi, "in defense of the oppressed and victims of injustice."
Dr. Al-Nuaimy went on to that, "Alkarama understands that the values dignity, freedom and justice would be meaningless if it were not for the steadfast commitment of the honorable men and women who dedicate their lives to defense of human rights."
He concluded by saying that "Alkarama established this award as part of its sustained undertaking to provide protection for human rights defenders."
In the face of adversity
Rachid Mesli, the Director of Alkarama's legal department, also gave a speech during which praised Haithem Al-Maleh's courage in the defense of human rights, and championed Al-Maleh's perseverance in the face of adversity.
In July 2010, Haithem Al-Maleh was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Military Court in Damascus on charges of "spreading false news" and "weakening the national sentiment".
"Last year's award was given to Abdennour Ali Yahia," said Mesli, "and now we respect this man all the more, because not only himself, but Haithem Al-Maleh, continue to define themselves as leading voices of freedom in the Arab world."
He concluded his speech by reaffirming that the Alkarama "award is dedicated to the those who, throughout their lives, have fought relentlessly in opposition to the dictatorial regimes that repress their own citizens in order to maintain power."
Keynote address, Pascal Maurer
In his keynote speech, Pascal Maurer, the president of the International Union of Lawyers, described Haithem Al-Maleh as his "esteemed" and "elderly peer" and touted his unrelenting efforts in defense of human rights. He praised the continued struggle for human rights in the Arab world recalling on "resonating sounds heard in the region in the face of government dictatorships".
Mr Maurer expressed optimism about the significant role played by our nations' youth in continued development of universal freedoms. He finished by saying that, "I was lucky enough, since I began working as a lawyer in 1973, to meet and work with colleagues such as Mr. Al-Maleh, who demonstrate a rare quality of dedication and devotion to the legal profession."
Son receives award on his behalf
Iyas Al-Maleh, who received the Alkarama Award 2010 on behalf of his father, thanked Alkarama for its generosity and commitment to the cause of human rights.
He said, "My father celebrated his 80th birthday in jail, away from his children and grandchildren, all for having exposed human rights abuses and defending the oppressed."
He added that the ruling regime in Syria continues to violate the rights of its citizens, citing his father as an example of those with enough courage to continue working without fear of the regime's repression. "They wanted to silence him, but every time he comes out of prison, he's comes out stronger..." said Iyas Al-Maleh.
Background about Haithem Al-Maleh
Haithem Al-Maleh was born in Damascus, Syria in 1931 and has worked as a lawyer since the early 1950s. He was a judge from 1957 and 1966, and in 2001 established the Human Rights Association in Syria.
Mr. Al-Maleh has spent the past four decades dedicating his work to the defense of human rights in Syria: ideological, political, social or otherwise. He has worked all over Syria and won several international awards in recognition of his dedication to human rights. He has frequently been asked to give lectures at universities, conferences and even in parliaments through the world.
Haithem Al-Maleh's human rights work landed him in prison for the first time in 1980 and was released in 1987 without ever being charged or put on trial. He appeared in front of a military court in 2002 for having published a magazine, and had his lawyer's license revoked in 2003. He has been under a travel ban since January 2004.