VI. Annex: List of Political and Human Rights Activists Detained during Bashar al-Asad’s First Decade in Power

Ma’moun al-Homsi, former member of parliament

Detained on August 9, 2001, as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He had publicly demanded democratic changes.

Damascus Criminal Court sentenced him to five years in prison in March 2002 for “an attempt to change the constitution by illegal means, trying to stop the authorities from carrying out their duties mentioned in the law, trying to harm national unity, defaming the state and insulting the legislative, executive and judicial authorities.” Released on January 18, 2006, after serving his sentence.

Riad al-Turk, former head of the unauthorized Communist Party (Political Bureau)

Detained on September 1, 2001, as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He had stated on Al Jazeera television in August 2001 that “the dictator has died.”

SSSC sentenced him on June 26, 2002, to two and a half years for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means.” He received a presidential pardon and was released on November 16, 2002, for “humanitarian reasons” related to his bad health.

Riad Seif, former Member of Parliament

Detained on September 6, 2001, as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He was a founder of a discussion forum, dubbed the Forum for National Dialogue.

Damascus criminal court sentenced him to five years in April 2002, for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means,” among other charges. Released on January 2006, he was re-arrested in December 2007 (see Damascus Declaration detainees below).

Kamal al-Labwani, physician, founder of the Democratic Liberal Gathering

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He had attended a political seminar in the house of Riad Seif.

SSSC sentenced him on August 28, 2002, to three years for inciting armed rebellion. He was released on September 9, 2004, after completing his sentence. He was later re-arrested in November 2005 and is currently serving a 12-year sentence (see box in Section 1 above).

Walid al-Bunni, physician, member of the Committees for the Revival of Civil Society

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He had attended a political seminar in the house of Riad Seif.

SSSC sentenced him on July 31, 2002, to five years for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means.” Released on January 18, 2006.

Hassan Sa`dun, involved in the civil forum movement, member of the Human Rights Association in Syria

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring.

SSSC sentenced him on August 28, 2002, to two years for “spreading false information.” Released on September 9, 2003, after the end of his sentence.

Habib `Issa, Lawyer, involved in the civil forum movement

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring. He was spokesperson for the Jamal al-Attasi Forum for Democratic Dialog and a founding member of Human Rights Society of Syria.

SSSC sentenced him on August 19, 2002, to five years for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means.” Released in January 2006.

Fawaz Tello, engineer

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring.

SSSC sentenced him on August 28, 2003, to five years for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means.” Released on January 18, 2006.

Habib Saleh, key figure of the National Dialogue Forum, writer, and political analyst

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring.

SSSC sentenced him on June 24, 2002, to three years for “inciting racial and sectarian strife” and other charges. Released in 2004. He was arrested again in May 2005 and a military court sentenced him to three years for “weakening national sentiment” and “spreading false news” for articles critical of the Syrian authorities that he had published on the internet. Released in 2007. He was arrested for a third time on May 7, 2008, and a Damascus criminal court sentenced him on March 15, 2009, to three years in jail for “spreading false information” and “weakening national sentiment” for writing articles criticizing the government and defending opposition figure Riad al-Turk.

Aref Dalila, economist and university professor, founding member of the nongovernmental Committees for the Revival of Civil Society

Detained in September 2001 as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Spring.

SSSC sentenced him on July 31, 2002, to 10 years for “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means.” Released on August 7, 2008.

Anwar Asfari, journalist

Detained on July 20, 2002, for holding talks and roundtables in the United Arab Emirates on reform in Syria.

SSSC sentenced him on June 6, 2005, to five years for “belonging to a secret organization with the objective of changing the economic and social status of the state.” Released on July 21, 2007.

Haytham al-Maleh, human rights lawyer and former head of Human Rights Association of Syria (HRAS)

Charged on October 14, 2002, for distributing HRAS’s publications and forming a human rights group without governmental approval.

Charged with “spreading false news,” “belonging to an international political association,” and “publishing material that caused sectarian friction.” All charges were dropped on July 15, 2003, as part of a presidential amnesty. Detained again on October 14, 2009, for criticizing the continued application of the state of emergency on a TV program. A military court sentenced him on July 3, 2010, to three years for “spreading false news.” He is currently in detention.

Hasan Saleh and Marwan `Uthman, two leaders in the Kurdish Yekiti party

Detained on December 15, 2002, after they had led a sit-in outside the Syrian National Assembly calling for the removal of the barriers imposed on the Kurdish language.

SSSC sentenced them in February 2004 to three years for attempting “to cutoff part of Syrian land to join it to another country.” Sentence later reduced to 14 months.

A group of 14 activists known as the “Aleppo 14”: Fateh Jamus, Safwan `Akkash, `Abd al-Ghani Bakri, Hazim `Ajaj al-Aghra’i, Muhammad Deeb Kor, `Abd al-Jawwad al-Saleh, Hashem al-Hashem, Yaser Qaddur, Zaradesht Muhammad, Rashid Sha`ban, Fuad Bawadqji, Ghazi Mustafa, Najib Dedem, and Samir `Abd al-Karim Nashar

All were detained in August 2003 in Aleppo as they waited to attend a talk on the emergency law.

A military court sentenced 13 of them to three months for “membership in a secret organization” and sentenced Fateh Jamus to one year on the same charge. All 14 men were released in June 2004.

Aktham Nu`aisseh, former head of the Committees for the Defense of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF)

Detained on April 14, 2004, in response to the publication by the CDF of a human rights report that was highly critical of the government.

SSSC charged him with “publishing false news” and “opposing the objectives of the revolution.” He was released on bail in August 2004, and acquitted in 2005.

Nizar Rastnawi, member of Arab Organization for Human Rights—Syria (AOHR-S)

Detained on April 18, 2005, after a member of the security services overheard a private conversation Rastanawi was having with another person in which he reportedly criticized the Syrian president.

The SSSC sentenced him on November 19, 2006, to four years for “spreading false news” and “insulting the President.” He was scheduled to complete a four-year sentence in Sednaya prison on April 18, 2009, but there has been no information about his well-being or whereabouts since then.

`Ali al-`Abdullah, writer, activist, and member of CDF and HRAS

Detained on May 15, 2005, for having publicly read a letter written by `Ali Sadr al-Din al-Bayanuni, London-based leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, at a gathering of the al-Atassi Forum.

Authorities released him on November 2, 2005, as part of a presidential amnesty. Detained again on March 23, 2006, with his son Muhammad, after they participated in a demonstration in front of the SSSC. A military court sentenced them to six months for “spreading false information that weakens national sentiment” and they were released on December 6, 2006. He was detained for a third time on December 17, 2007, as part of the crackdown on the Damascus Declaration group (see below) and sentenced to two and a half years. Instead of being released on June 17, 2010, he was referred to the Military Prosecutor’s office which kept him in detention on new charges of “weakening national sentiment” and “muddying Syria’s relations with foreign states” because of articles and statements he issued while in jail.

Muhammad Ra`dun, head of the AOHR-S

Detained on May 22, 2005, after he appeared on Al-Jazeera television, highlighting the need for reform in the country.

Was held on charges of “spreading false news” and “involvement in an illegal organization of an international nature.” Released November 2, 2005, before his trial concluded, on the basis of a presidential amnesty.

Riad Drar, active member of the unauthorized Committees for the Revival of Civil Society

Detained on June 4, 2005, after he made a speech at the funeral of prominent Kurdish Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Ma`shuq al-Khaznawi. In his speech, Drar demanded that the government grant Syrian Kurds the same rights as other citizens, particularly in regard to issues of citizenship for stateless Kurds.

The SSSC sentenced him on April 2, 2006, to five years in prison on the basis of “belonging to a secret organization,” “inciting sectarian strife,” and “spreading false information.”

Hasan Zeino, engineer

Detained on July 10, 2005, for carrying copies of a newsletter from the unlicensed opposition umbrella group National Democratic Front.

Military Court in Homs charged him with “possession of publications of a prohibited organization.” He was released on bail on August 24, 2005.

 Mohammed `Ali al-`Abdullah, the son of detained activist `Ali al-`Abdullah, and Yassin al-Hamwi, father of a political prisoner

Detained in July 27, 2005, in a Damascus suburb after taking part in the inaugural meeting of the Committee of the Families of Prisoners of Opinion and Conscience.

Sentenced on September 27, 2005, to 10 days for “defaming the country.” Detained again with his father, the writer `Ali al-`Abdullah, on March 23, 2006, after their participation in a demonstration in front of the SSSC. A military court sentenced them to six months for “spreading false information that weakens national sentiment” and they were released on December 6, 2006.

Dr. Mahmoud Sarem, surgeon and poet

Detained in September 2005.

SSSC charged him with criticizing the government and the president in public. Released on bail in September 19, 2006; trial still ongoing according to publicly available information.

Fateh Jamus, political activist

Detained on May 1, 2006, upon his return from a trip to Europe where he addressed an Amnesty International conference and spoke to the media about the need for reforms in Syria.

A criminal court tried him for “spreading false information.” He was released on bail on October 12, 2006.

A group of four activists detained for signing “Beirut-Damascus Declaration”: Michel Kilo, a writer, Mahmud `Issa, a political activist, Khalil Hussain, a member of the Kurdish future movement, Sulaiman Shummar, a political activist

Detained between May 12 and 18, 2006, for signing the Damascus-Beirut Declaration, a petition which called for the normalization of Syria-Lebanon relations.

A criminal court sentenced Michel Kilo and Mahmud `Issa on May 13, 2007, to three years for “weakening national sentiment” and “inciting sectarian strife.” The court sentenced in absentia Khalil Hussain and Sulaiman Shummar to ten years for “weakening national sentiment” and “undertaking acts and writings unauthorized by the Syrian government that may expose Syria to aggressive acts or spoil its relations with another state.” Michel Kilo was released in May 2009 and Mahmoud Issa in June 2009

Anwar al-Bunni, human rights lawyer

Detained on May 17, 2006, for his membership in a human rights group, for claiming that a detainee died under torture, and for signing the Beirut-Damascus declaration.

A criminal court sentenced him on April 24, 2007, to five years for “spreading false or exaggerated news that weakens national sentiment,” and ordered him to pay the equivalent of US$2,000 to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor for his membership in a unlicensed and now-closed human rights center.

Fa’eq al-Mir, a leader in the leftist People’s Democratic Party

Detained on December 13, 2006, following a phone call to a leader of Lebanon’s March 14 Coalition, which is known for its opposition to Syrian policies in Lebanon. The call was to express condolences for the November 21, 2006 assassination of Pierre Gemayel.

A criminal court sentenced him on November 8, 2007 to 18 months for “undertaking acts that weaken national sentiment” during times of conflict.”

Sufian Bakor, son of political opposition activist Mohammad Bakor, head of the Syrian Committee for Democratic Work

Detained on January 13, 2007, reportedly as a way to put pressure on his exiled father, Mohammad Bakor.

Released on May 4, 2009.

A group of five members in the Yekiti party: Yasha Kader, Nazmi Muhammad, Tahseen Mammo, Dalkash Mammo, and Ahmad Khalil Darwish

Detained on January 29, 2007, as they were gathered at the house of Yasha Kader to attend a cultural talk on the Kurds.

Charged with undertaking “acts to cut off part of Syrian land to join it to another country” and their trial is ongoing before the SSSC.

`Adnan Buzan, leader in the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (KDP-S)

Detained on June 19, 2007, for forming an unlicensed political party.

Released on November 5, 2007. No charges filed against him.

Ma`ruf Mulla Ahmad, a senior official in the Kurdish Yekiti party

Detained on August 12, 2007, at the Syria-Lebanon border as he was attempting to return to Syria.

In March 2008, the military prosecutor charged him with belonging to a prohibited secret organization and provoking a riot and racial problems. Released on March 5, 2008. According to publicly available information, the prosecution has not taken any further steps since then.

A group of 12 activists who are members of the Damascus Declaration: Walid al-Bunni, physician; Yasser al-`Eiti, physician and poet; Feda’ al-Hurani, physician; Akram al-Bunni, writer; Ahmad To`meh, dentist; Jabr al-Shufi, Arabicliterature teacher; `Ali al-`Abdullah, writer; Fayez Sarah, writer and journalist; Muhammad Hajji Darwish, businessman; Marwan al-`Ush, engineer; Riad Seif, former member of parliament; and Talal Abu Dan, artist and sculptor

Detained over a few weeks starting on December 9, 2007, for attending a meeting on December 1 of the Damascus Declaration, an umbrella group of opposition parties and activists in Syria.

A criminal court sentenced them on October 29, 2008, to 30 months on charges of “weakening national sentiment” and “spreading false or exaggerated news which would affect the morale of the country.”

Ahmad al-Hajji al-Khalaf, a board member of the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria

The Ministry of Education filed a case against him regarding an article he had written that was published on the internet on December 12, 2007. In the article, Ahmad al-Khalaf criticized the education system in Syria.

A military court sentenced him on April 22, 2008, to 10 days for criticizing appointments at the Ministry of Education. After an appeal the sentence was reduced to five days. He served his sentence from March 25-30, 2009.

Kamal al-Mwayel, physician and member of the Damascus Declaration

Detained on February 21, 2008, after attending the December 1 meeting of the Damascus Declaration.

Released on September 18, 2008. No charges filed against him.

Muhammad Badee` Dak al-Bab, member of the National Organization for Human Rights (NOHR)

Detained on March 2, for online articles he wrote.

A military court sentenced him on June 29, 2008, to six months for “spreading false information that weaken national sentiment.” Released on September 17, 2008, at the end of his sentence.

Mahmoud al-Najjar, member of the Damascus Declaration

Detained on June 16, 2008, in Aleppo. Reasons for the arrest are unknown.

Released on July 24, 2008. No charges filed against him.

Muhammad Musa, general secretary of the Kurdish Left Party in Syria

Detained on July 19, 2008, because of public statements calling for democratic reforms in Syria and his party’s participation in the Damascus Declaration, a coalition of opposition parties.

A military court sentenced him on December 3, 2008, to three months for belonging to a “political organization without the permission of the government” and “disrupting ties between the elements of the nation.” Released on August 31, 2009.

Mesh`al Tammo, official spokesperson for the Kurdish Future Movement in Syria

Detained on August 15, 2008, as he was driving from `Ain Arab to Aleppo. The charges are allegedly related to party documents found in his car when detained.

A Damascus criminal court sentenced him on May 11, 2009 to three and a half years for “weakening national sentiment,” and “broadcasting false or exaggerated news that could affect the morale of the country.”

Omran al-Sayyed, member of the public relations bureau of the Kurdish Future Movement in Syria

Detained on August 21, 2008, for his membership in the party.

A military court sentenced him on January 18, 2009, to four months for “inciting sectarian tensions” and belonging to an “unlicensed secret organization.”

Muhammad Sa`id al-Sa`id, member of the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (KDP-S)

Detained on August 31, 2008, for his membership in the party and because he was suspected of being the author of a number of online articles critical of the authorities.

Released on October 12, 2008. No charges filed against him.

Hozan Sheikhmus Mohammad (known as Hozan Badli), a law student and nephew of Muhammad Musa, general secretary of the Kurdish Left Party

Detained on September 3, 2008, after he appeared on an opposition-affiliated TV station to highlight the detention of his uncle.

Release on November 4, 2008. No charges filed against him.

Sa`dun Sheikho, Muhammad Sa`id al-`Omar, and Mustapha Jum`a, all three are leaders of the Kurdish Azadi party

Sheikho and al-`Omar were detained on October 26, 2008. Jum`a was detained on January 10, 2009. All three were detained for their membership in the Azadi party.

A criminal court sentenced them on November 15, 2009, to three years for “weakening national sentiment,” and “inciting sectarian strife.”

Nasr al-Deen Muhammad Burheik, member of the political bureau of the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (KDP-S)

Detained on March 2, 2009, for organizing an event to commemorate the death of Mulla Mustapha Barzani, the leader of the Kurdish rebellion in Iraq in the 1970s.

A military court sentenced him on August 9, 2009, to three months for membership in an “illegal political organization.”

Faysal Sabri and Fener Jamil Sa`dun, both members in the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (KDP-S)

Detained on March 8, 2009, for organizing a musical event to mark International Women’s Day.

A military court sentenced them on August 9, 2009, to three months for “membership in an unlicensed political party.”

Sulayman Osso, member of Yekiti party political bureau

Detained on March 30, 2009, following an accusation that he participated in the Nowruz events in 2009.

A military prosecutor charged him with “membership in an unlicensed organization,” inciting riots,” and “inciting sectarian conflict.” Released on bail on June 7, 2009. His trial is ongoing.

Anwar Naso, a member in the Yekiti party political bureau

Detained on March 30, 2009, following accusations that he had organized a ten minute vigil against Decree No. 49 on February 28, 2009.

Released on June 30, 2009. No charges filed against him.

Fuad `Aliko, general secretary of the Yekiti party, and Hasan Saleh, its former general secretary

Charged with organizing and participating in a demonstration in Qamishli on November 2, 2007, to protest against Turkish attacks on the PKK in northern Iraq.

On April 14, 2009, a military judge sentenced `Aliko to eight months and Saleh to 13 months on charges of “membership in a political organization without the permission of the government” and for “inciting riots and sectarian strife.” They have both appealed the decision.

Khalil Ma`touk, human rights lawyer

Charged in April 2009 with “insulting the president and public administration” and “inciting sectarian conflict” after he called for prosecuting security officials suspected of killing his nephew in October 2008 while reportedly pursuing smugglers.

Status of charges unknown at time of writing.

Ibrahim Berro, member of Yekiti party political bureau

Detained on April 29, 2009, for allegedly planning a vigil against Decree No. 49 that had been planned for February 28, 2009.

A military court sentenced him on October 21, 2009, to eight months for “membership in an organization without the permission of the government.”

Five members of the Syrian Communist Action Party: Hasan Zahra, Abbas Abbas, Tawfiq Omran, Ahmad Nihawi, and Ghassan Hasan

Detained on May 21, 2009, during a gathering at a member’s house

The status of their case is unknown to Human Rights Watch at time of writing.

Muhanad al-Hasani, human rights lawyer and president of the Syrian Human Rights Organization (Swasiah)

Detained on July 28, 2009, in connection with his monitoring of the state security court.

Criminal court sentenced him on June 24, 2010, to three years for “weakening national sentiment” and “spreading false or exaggerated information.”

Haytham al-Maleh, human rights lawyer, former HRAS Chairman, and former prisoner (see above)

Detained on October 14, 2009, following his appearance on an opposition television station in which he criticized the ongoing repression of freedom of expression in Syria.

A military court sentenced him on July 4, 2010, to three years for “spreading false or exaggerated information that weakens national sentiment.”

Ahmed Mustafa Ben Mohammad (known as Pir Rostom), Kurdish political activist and writer

Detained on November 7, 2009 shortly after his return from the Kurdistan region of Iraq. His arrest is believed to be related to articles he wrote online.

He was released on bail on April 27, 2010, but is still awaiting possible referral to trial for the articles he wrote online.

`Abed al-Hafith `Abed al-Rahman, Syrian Kurdish human rights activist and member of MAF, a human rights group  known in Arabic as al-Lijna al-Kurdiyya lil Difa` `an Huquq al-Insan)

Detained on March 2, 2010. The authorities have not said why he is being detained.

No information available at writing.