PEN International condemns the 18-month sentence handed down on March 13, 2011, to writer, journalist, and activist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah for “harming Syria’s relations with a foreign country.” The sentence stemmed from an article published by al-‘Abdullah while in prison in 2009 in which he criticized Syrian-Iranian relations. PEN considers al-‘Abdullah to be sentenced in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a party, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Background Information

According to PEN’s information, al-‘Abdullah has been kept in prison since the expiration of a two-and-a-half-year sentence on June 16, 2010. His continued detention stems from the publication of an article in late 2009 in which he criticized Syrian-Iranian relations. He appeared before a Military Court on February 7, 2011, on charges of “disseminating false information.” During the court session, al-‘Abdullah told the court that his statements did not “constitute a crime for which he should be tried because he has a natural right to his opinion.”
 
‘Ali al-‘Abdullah was arrested on December 16, 2007, and sentenced on October 29, 2008, to two and half years in prison for “disseminating false information with the aim of harming the state,” “membership of a secret organization designed to destabilize the state,” and “inciting ethnic and racial tension” for his dissident writings and peaceful opposition activities. Al-‘Abdullah was arrested with his son Muhammad ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah following their participation in a peaceful demonstration outside the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) on March 22, 2007. Another of ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah’s sons, Omar, has been detained since March 18, 2006, for his involvement in a pro-democracy youth movement. Their arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on government opponents who are being targeted for their peaceful opposition activities.

‘Ali al-‘Abdullah was previously arrested in May 2005 and detained for over five months for his opposition activities.

Write A Letter

  • Condemning the harsh prison sentence handed down to journalist Ali al-Abdullah solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression;
  • Calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a signatory;
  • Seeking assurances of his well-being in detention.

Send Your Letter To

His Excellency President Bashar al-Assad
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh, 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

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