Support pro-Democratic Protests in Syria

The Syrian Embassy address in the United Kingdom:
8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, United Kingdom
+44 20 7245 9012

On 16th March 2011 the Syrian Security Forces dispersed a peaceful protest in front of the Interior Ministry in Damascus, using force and violence, and arrested 49 people who were demanding the release of prisoners of opinion and conscience. A few days later, most protesters were charged with conspiring against the state. Several have been released on bail, whilst others have been subjected to enforced disappearance, including the university student Baraa Kellizy (27 years old). Many activists are now facing trial in state security courts, such as the prominent human rights activist Suhair Atassi. Trial in state security courts contravenes international standards of basic human rights: the right to a fair and impartial trial.

Syria has been under emergency law since 1963, allowing people to be detained with no charge or trial. An increasing number of young people are losing their lives in the current protests for basic human rights. To discourage these protesters, university students and academics are being forced by security police to support pro-regime demonstrations.

The Signatories below demand the following:

1- Release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, including Baraa Kellizy, and withdraw the threat of criminal charges against activists like Suhair Atassi for exercising their right to protest.

2- Lift the state of emergency and martial law. This shall also include the dismantling of the illegal state security court and all exceptional courts.

3- An immediate end to threats exerted on students and academics through the presence of secret police agents in universities, and a stop to forced pro-regime demonstrations.

Finally, we demand the right of all people in the Middle East to free democratic rights, free of internal repression and external military intervention.