Syria: stop attacks on human rights defenders and their families; release those arbitrarily detained and imprisoned
The ICJ today called on the Syrian authorities to end their persistent attacks on human rights defenders and persons detained for political reasons and the members of their families.
On 16 March 2011, a group of protesters, led by family members of detainees, were peacefully demonstrating outside the Ministry of the Interior in Damascus, calling for the release of their relatives. Plain-clothed security officers launched a violent crackdown on the demonstrators, physically assaulting and arresting at least 25 of them. Detainees were taken to unknown locations and are reportedly held in incommunicado detention.
ICJ Submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Syria
Since 1963, under the framework of a State of Emergency, serious and widespread human rights violations have been committed in Syria, including torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Suspected political opponents, human rights lawyers and other defenders have been regularly and arbitrarily detained, ill-treated and, in many cases, held without charge or trial for several years. Others have been convicted and sentenced, under the emergency law and other restrictive dispositions of the Syrian Penal Code (in particular Articles 267,273, 285, 286, 287, 288, and 307),to lengthy prison terms after grossly unfair trials before military courts, the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC), or civilian courts.
In spite of the persistent and consistent reports of these human rights violations, Syrian authorities have failed to investigate them promptly and independently, and to bring to justice State officials and laws enforcement officers allegedly responsible for these violations. They have enjoyed effective impunity.
Syria-UPR submission ICJ-non-legal submission-2011 (full text, PDF)
Muhannad Al-Hasani, ICJ Commissioner and Martin Ennals Laureate physically assaulted in jail
The ICJ today deplored the failure of the Syrian authorities to protect the physical integrity ICJ Commissioner Muhannad Al-Hasani, an internationally renowned lawyer and human rights defender currently in jail.
ICJ commissioner, Muhannad al-Hassani, announced as laureate of Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, 2010
The main award for international human rights for 2010 goes to a Syrian human rights defender lingering in prison. The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) announces its Laureate for 2010 The main award for international human rights for 2010 goes to a Syrian human rights defender lingering in prison. The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) announces its Laureate for 2010.
Recent News
Tanzania: African CSOs Call for the Non-Recognition of the Illegitimate Government and for Transitional Justice and Fresh Elections06 Nov 2025
Türkiye: Justice Reforms Central to Fair, Durable Peace Parliamentary Commission Should Make Bold Recommendations for Change06 Nov 2025
Greece: ICJ and ECRE call the European Committee of Social Rights to ensure Greece’s compliance with migrant and refugee children’s rights06 Nov 2025
ICJ submission highlights discrimination as key obstacle to women and girls with disabilities in enforcing their human rights04 Nov 2025