PEN International condemns the five-year sentence handed down on February 14, 2011, to blogger, poet, and high school student Tal Al-Mallouhi on the charge of “divulging information to a foreign state.” No evidence has been provided for the charge against her, and PEN believes that Al-Mallouhi has been sentenced for her online writings and poems. This violates her right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a party. PEN calls for her immediate and unconditional release.

Background Information

According to PEN's information, Al-Mallouhi appeared before Damascus State Security Court in a closed session on February 14, 2011, where she was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. The court did not disclose any evidence or details of the reason behind the verdict, and it is widely believed that she is targeted for her online poems and writings on political and social issues. The State Security Court’s verdict is final, and there is no possibility of appeal.

Al-Mallouhi was arrested on December 27, 2009, after being summoned for questioning about her blog entries. After her arrest, state security officers raided Tal Al-Mallouhi’s family home and confiscated her computer, notebook, and other personal documents. She was held incommunicado at an undisclosed location without charge or access to her family for the first nine months of her detention. Her family was allowed to visit her once at Doma prison in Damascus on September 30, 2010. Initially, Al-Mallouhi’s family had sought her release through diplomatic negotiations and therefore did not want any publicity on the case. However, on September 2, 2010, her mother published an open letter to the Syrian president seeking information about her daughter’s welfare and calling for her release. On October 5, 2010, it was reported that Al-Mallouhi had been charged with spying for a foreign country. Al-Mallouhi has no known political affiliations, and sources close to the family are baffled by the charges. It is feared that she could be targeted for comments and poems published in her blog.

Write A Letter

  • Condemning the harsh prison sentence handed down to blogger, poet, and high school student Tal Al-Mallouhi solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to free expression;
  • Calling for her immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a signatory;
  • Ensuring that she has full access to family visits and any necessary medical care while detained;
  • Seeking assurances of her well-being in detention.

Send Your Letter To

His Excellency Bashar al-Assad
President
Presidential Palace
al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 332 3410

Major Sa’id Mohamed Samour
Minister of Interior
Ministry of Interior
‘Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 222 3428

His Excellency Walid al-Mua’llim
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Abu Rummaneh
al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 332 7620

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Syria in your country if possible.

Please contact PEN if sending appeals after March 15, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org