Blogs > AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA

May 1, 2004

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA



In Syria, human rights advocates are also trying to raise their heads - the media is silent but at least Amnesty International speaks - Well done.

"Syria: Release human rights defender Aktham Nu'aysa immediately Amnesty International today condemned the continued arbitrary detention of Syrian human rights defender Aktham Nu'aysa, 53, head of the Committees for Defense of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDDLHR). Aktham Nu'aysa was arrested on 13 April and referred yesterday to the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC).

Aktham Nu'aysa should be released immediately and all charges against him dropped", said Amnesty International.

After over a week of incommunicado detention at an unknown location, and with health conditions including an irregular heartbeat and a kidney complaint, both of which require medication, Aktham Nu'aysa reportedly suffered a stroke and was taken to Tishrin Hospital. He is now said to be in solitary confinement in Sednaya prison. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely because of his work in defence of human rights.

Amnesty International has expressed grave concern at the continuing enforcement of the State of Emergency Legislation (SEL) in Syria which has been in force for 41 years and has resulted in thousands of suspected political opponents being detained, tortured and held incommunicado without charge or trial, some for over two decades. Others have been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms after grossly unfair trials before military or state security courts".



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