Civil society organisations call on UNHRC to convene special session on Syria
Five IFEX members and other organisations called on the Council to consider the findings of the Syrian Commission of Inquiry and ensure accountability for attacks on peaceful protesters.
Formerly missing journalist now on trial; activists accused of inciting protests
Activist and blogger Hussein Ghrer was referred from the State Security Administration to civil justice after writing on his blog, “We don’t want a country where we get imprisoned for uttering a word.”
Cameraman found dead, last seen being arrested
Ferzat Jarban was filming anti-regime protests in al-Qasir in Homs governorate when authorities arrested him on Saturday 19 November.
RSF urges foreign media to take utmost care to protect local sources
While foreign reporters arrested face a few days in detention and then deportation, Syrians pay a much higher price for their involvement.
Journalists, blogger missing
Hussein Ghrer disappeared after leaving his home on October 24; the circumstances of his arrest, his condition, and his whereabouts are unknown.
List of detained bloggers and journalists gets longer amid pro-regime rallies
British journalist Sean McAllister, who was detained by authorities in Damascus for five days last week while working undercover on a report for Channel 4 News, has offered some grim insights into the mistreatment and torture of government opponents in Syrian prisons.
Human Rights Watch calls on Arab League to deploy civilian monitors
At least 186 protesters and residents have been killed since the Arab League’s October 16 meeting, according to Syrian human rights activists.
ANHRI condemns censorship of novel by Arab Writers Union
Charging the novel of being “seditious” and “glorif[ying] the Persian race and belittl[ing] other races,” the Arab Writers Union banned the distribution of the novel “Sayed Al-Hawma”, written by Abdul-Nasser Al-Ayed.
ANHRI condemns targeting of pro-revolution artists
A number of singers, actors and artists have been harassed for participating in anti-regime demonstrations or criticising the president.
Human rights groups voice need for strong and urgent Security Council action
Since mass protests began, the UN has estimated at least 2,600 civilians have been killed, the majority of them protesters and local residents shot with live ammunition by the security forces and army.
Journalist arrested, held without charge
Prior to his arrest, Amer Matar e-mailed a copy of his will to a friend and said, “I may not come back from Friday prayers.”
Government announces new media law
Article 12 calls for “responsible freedom of expression” but provides no definition of the term, thereby allowing a great deal of scope for arbitrary interpretation.
Critical cartoonist viciously attacked by armed men
Ali Ferzat had recently published a cartoon showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hitchhiking along a road trying to get a lift from a car driven by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
UN team should insist on protection of protesters, says Human Rights Watch
The authorities have demonstrated with gunfire and bloodshed that their promise to allow the UN to conduct a humanitarian mission without hindrance is hollow, says Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch presses OIC to rein in Syria
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation should immediately take action against Syria for violating the organisation’s charter by systematically and brutally suppressing peaceful civilian protests, Human Rights Watch said.
Journalists, bloggers arrested and beaten as information war continues
Isolated internationally, the authorities persist in censoring any discourse different from their own, jailing netizens and journalists who have witnessed violence against protesters, says RSF.