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Smothering freedom of expression: the detention of peaceful critics
Human rights lawyers face harassment in Syria
All AI documents on Syria

As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visits London this week to hold talks with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Amnesty International is calling on Syria to release all prisoners of conscience.

On the 31st July, 2002, the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) sentenced 'Aref Dalilah to 10 years imprisonment on charges of "attempting to change the constitution by illegal means", following a grossly unfair trial.

'Aref Dalilah and eight others were arbitrarily arrested and detained in September 2001 for their involvement with emerging civil society groups and discussion forums. In a related case parliamentarian Riad Seif has been sentenced to five years in prison on similar charges by the Criminal Court on 4 April 2002. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for the non-violent expression of their views.

This continuing campaign targeting human rights activists and government critics is testimony to the fact that the mechanisms facilitating human rights violations in Syria are still in place and that the Syrian Government has not lived up to its commitment and obligation under international human rights treaties to ensure protection and promotion of human rights.

Amnesty International considers trials held before the SSSC to be grossly unfair as they do not follow guarantees set forth in international fair trial standards. There is no right to appeal the decisions of the SSSC.

Amnesty International is also concerned about the health of 'Aref Dalilah, who is reported to be suffering from deep vein thrombosis and requires urgent medical treatment. He was allegedly beaten and ill-treated while he was held in 'Adra Prison.

These prisoners of conscience should never have been arrested in the first place.They must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Video: Noam Chomsky (see link)