Jul 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ and other Human Rights groups today strongly condemned the conviction, and sentence to three years’ imprisonment, of Mr. Haytham Al-Maleh, a 79 years old prominent Syrian human rights lawyer.
This conviction was ordered on the grounds of “transferring false and exaggerated news that weaken national sentiments”, under Articles 285 and 286 of the Syrian Criminal Code. The charges arise from Mr. Al-Maleh’s interviews with the media in which he criticized, amongst other things, the continued use of the emergency laws in Syria and the ongoing control of the Syrian authorities over the judicial system.
Syria-conviction Al-Maleh-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Jun 23, 2010 | News
The ICJ strongly condemns the decision of the Second Criminal Court of Damascus to convict Mr. Muhannad Al-Hasani, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender, and sentence him to three years imprisonment.
He was arrested on 28 July by officers of the Syrian General Intelligence Service and formally charged by an Investigating Judge on 12 October 2009 for“weakening national sentiments and encouraging racist and sectarian feelings”, and “transferring false and exaggerated news that weaken national sentiments” under Articles 285, 286 and 287 of the Penal Code.
Syria-Al-Hasani immediate release-press release-2009 (full text in English, PDF)
Syria-Al-Hasani persecution continues-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Syria-trial Al-Hasani Criminal Court-trial observation report-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Aug 6, 2009 | News
The ICJ today called on the Syrian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release its commissioner Muhannad Al-Hasani, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender.
Syria-ICJ commissioner must immediately be released-Press release-2009 (full text, PDF)
Jun 7, 2007 | News
Two members of the Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights, appointed by the ICJ, concluded today the hearings and consultations for the Middle East region held in Cairo.
Jun 4, 2007 | News
The Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights, appointed by the ICJ in October 2005, is holding a public hearing in Cairo on 4-5 June.