Syria: conviction of 79 years-old human rights lawyer signals continuing persecution of human rights defenders

Syria: conviction of 79 years-old human rights lawyer signals continuing persecution of human rights defenders

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)

Syria: ICJ calls for the immediate and unconditional release of its commissioner Muhannad Al-Hasani

Syria: ICJ calls for the immediate and unconditional release of its commissioner Muhannad Al-Hasani

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)

Aktham Naisse finally acquitted!

Aktham Naisse finally acquitted!

naisseThe ICJ and other rights groups welcome the decision of the Syrian Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) on June 26, 2005, to drop all charges against Syrian human rights defender Aktham Naisse (photo).

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