"The Syrian authorities should release immediately all 'prisoners of conscience and ensure that those charged with a recognizably criminal offence are tried in accordance with international fair trial standards," Amnesty International said.
The organization also urged the Syrian government to take measures to ensure that detainees are not tortured or ill-treated at the hands of security forces agents and to ratify and implement the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Background
There are currently hundreds of political prisoners in Syria, including "prisoners of conscience".
The election of President Bashar al-Assad in July 2000 was followed by a relaxation of restrictions on freedom of expression. The new climate of openness, known as the Damascus Spring, fostered the creation of a variety of political forums, and civil society, pro-democracy and human rights groups. However in February 2001 the Syrian government imposed a number of restrictions on the activities of these discussion forums and civil society groups stating that they had violated the government guidelines.
For more information, please visit Amnesty International, in our LINKS Section, or at: http://www.amnesty.org
The organization also urged the Syrian government to take measures to ensure that detainees are not tortured or ill-treated at the hands of security forces agents and to ratify and implement the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Background
There are currently hundreds of political prisoners in Syria, including "prisoners of conscience".
The election of President Bashar al-Assad in July 2000 was followed by a relaxation of restrictions on freedom of expression. The new climate of openness, known as the Damascus Spring, fostered the creation of a variety of political forums, and civil society, pro-democracy and human rights groups. However in February 2001 the Syrian government imposed a number of restrictions on the activities of these discussion forums and civil society groups stating that they had violated the government guidelines.
For more information, please visit Amnesty International, in our LINKS Section, or at: http://www.amnesty.org