Articles for 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.

George Sabra, a leading member of the Syrian Democractic People's Party, was arrested by Syrian security forces at 10.30am on 10 April 2011, in Quatana and has since disappeared. His party is linked to the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change, a Syrian opposition movement calling for pro-democratic reforms in Syria.

Since anti-government protests began in March 2011, many Syrian human rights defenders and political activists have been arrested. George Sabra was also previously arrested on 24 March 2008.

In this context, it should be noted that human rights defenders and lawyers have been particularly targeted during the crackdown on civilians participating in the rising opposition movement. Indeed, the following individuals have been detained solely as a result of their exercise of their right to freedom of expression:

Alkarama is deeply concerned by the Syria security forces' continued use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators in Syria. Alkarama has confirmed 70 more deaths as a result lethal force used by the Syrian authorities against protesters. This total comes on the back of the case of 58 dead, which Alkarama submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions on 30 March 2011.

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.

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.