Freedom of opinion and expression are supposedly guaranteed under Syrian law but in reality there are extensive limitations to these rights, with reports of scores of arrests and detentions of human rights defenders campaigning for human rights and calling for democratic reform of Syria. Online monitoring and censorship of the internet is commonplace, with frequent allegations that the government has blocked access to internet sites used by human rights defenders. There have also been reports of human rights defenders being detained for their online activity. The diverse forms of suppression of legitimate free speech is carried out on the basis of criminal charges such as “disseminating false reports” in cases where human rights defenders have denounced alleged human rights violations. Freedom of assembly is virtually non-existent, since those wishing to hold a meeting or demonstration are required to submit a written request to the authorities, outlining the objectives of the gathering and the names of those in charge. There have been numerous reports of human rights defenders being arbitrarily arrested and detained in connection with peaceful demonstrations and calls for democratic reform. In addition to this, NGOs regularly face difficulties in registering their associations with the authorities and their everyday running is hampered by the constant threat of closure for “spreading false or exaggerated information”.

The government has banned hundreds of human rights defenders from traveling abroad and prominent human rights defenders have been arrested on their return to Syria after travelling abroad to attend conferences and workshops on human rights issues. Several human rights defenders have been accused of “encouraging foreign aggression of Syria” and charged with “weakening national sentiment”, “inciting sectarian strife”, or “damaging the nation's image”.