(WAN/IFEX) – In a 5 September 2001 letter to President Bashar al-Assad, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the continuing harassment of journalist Nizar Nayyouf. According to reports, Nayyouf, who was released in May after spending nine years in prison for “disseminating false information,” has been summoned to court in […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 5 September 2001 letter to President Bashar al-Assad, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the continuing harassment of journalist Nizar Nayyouf.
According to reports, Nayyouf, who was released in May after spending nine years in prison for “disseminating false information,” has been summoned to court in Damascus to answer charges of attempting to illegally modify the constitution and publishing false news reports abroad. Nayyouf, who is currently in France receiving medical treatment, is also facing possible charges of inciting inter-religious strife, an offence which could carry a five-year prison sentence.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– respectfully reminding him that the charges against Nayyouf arise solely from his exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Syria has ratified
– noting that the covenant states: “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print”
– respectfully calling on him to ensure that Nayyouf’s intimidation is immediately halted
– urging him to do everything in his power to ensure that in future Syria fully respects its international obligations to freedom of expression
Appeals To
His Excellency Bashar al-Assad
President
Presidential Palace
Damascus, Syria
C/o Permanent Representative to UN
Email: syria@un.int
Please copy appeals to WAN.
