Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights defender Bahrouz Yousif on 3 May 2008 by Airforce Intelligence in the Harista district of Damascus. No reason has been given for his arrest and his whereabouts are as yet unknown. He was under interrogation from 23 April 2008 until his arrest. Bahrouz Yousif works in the defence of human rights in Syria.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that the Syrian authorities have refused to confirm the whereabouts of human rights defender and writer Hammam Haddad, who was arbitrarily detained on 5 May 2008. Hammam Haddad has been active in publicising cases of human rights violations in Syria and has also worked to support victims of human rights violations and their families.
Front Line is deeply concerned following the recent sentencing of human rights defender Mohammed Badih al-Bab to 6 months in prison in Damascus. Mohammed Badih al-Bab is a member of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that travel bans have been imposed against human rights defenders Radif Mostafa, Mohanad Al Hosainey, Rasim Al Atasy, Mahmoud Maree, Ahmed Manjonah and Seren Khoury. Radif Mostafa is a lawyer and the chairperson of the Kurdish Committee for Human Rights. Mohanad Al Hosainey is a lawyer and the head of the Syrian Organisation for Human Rights (Sawasiah). Rasim Al Atasy is an engineer and the head of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in Syria. Mahmoud Maree and Ahmed Manjonah are both lawyers with the Arabic Human Rights Organisation in Syria. Seren Khoury is an independent lawyer.
Front Line is deeply concerned following the arrest of human rights defender Habib Salih on 9 May 2008. Habib Salih is a writer and pro-democracy campaigner. He is a founder of the Tartus branch of the National Dialogue Forum.
Today the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, presented the 2008 Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk to Anwar al-Bunni of Syria. The Award was collected on his behalf by his wife Ragheda Issa Refki.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights defender Mohammed Badih al-Bab on 2 March 2008 in Damascus. Mohammed Badih al-Bab is a member of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender and writer Karam Ibrahim Yousef was shot in the head on 20 March 2008. Karam Ibrahim Yousef has written extensively in defence of the human rights of the Kurdish community in Syria.
