Front Line is deeply concerned at the action taken by the Bar Association in Syria which has filed a misconduct case against Mr Muhanad Alhasani, a human rights lawyer and the president of the Syrian Human Rights Organisation (SHRO), who has been in arbitrary detention since 28 July 2009 for reporting on cases treated before the State Security Court.

Further Information

On 18 and 25 August 2009, Muhanad Alhasani was brought handcuffed from ‘Adra’ prison, before a special correction council of the Bar Association in Damascus, accused of; heading an unauthorised organisation, attending sessions of the Supreme State Security Court without having power of attorney and disseminating false and exaggerated information that could harm the State.

The case was adjourned to 1 September 2009. He could face a termination of his membership of the Bar Association and a ban on practising law.

Front Line is concerned at the mounting harassment of human rights defenders in Syria, including; the denial of authorisation to any independent human organisation, a ban on travel, arbitrary detention and, in this case, using the Bar Association to punish human rights lawyers for their legitimate work in defence of human rights.

For further information on this case see See Original Front Line Appeal