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In practice there were no known prosecutions or convictions of police and security force personnel for abuse and corruption, and the security forces operated independently and generally outside the control of the legal system.
There were no reported government actions to reform the security forces or the police.
Arrest Procedures and Treatment While in Detention Warrants are generally required for arrest in criminal cases. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Upon arrest, the individual is usually brought to a police station for processing and detained until a trial date is set.
The length of time a person could be held without charge was unknown. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
At the initial court hearing, which can be months or years after the arrest, the accused may retain an attorney at personal expense or be assigned a court-appointed attorney, although lawyers are not ensured access to their clients Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 8 before trial. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The law provides for prompt access to family members, but NGOs and families reported inconsistent application of the law, with some families waiting as long as a year to see relatives.
Civil and criminal defendants have the right to bail hearings and possible release from detention on their own recognizance.
This right was not applied consistently throughout the legal system and was rarely available to pretrial detainees. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In cases involving political or national security offenses, arrests were often carried out in secret with cases assigned in a seemingly arbitrary manner to military, security, or criminal courts.
Suspects were detained incommunicado for prolonged periods without charge or trial and denied the right to a judicial determination regarding pretrial detention.
In most cases detainees were not informed of charges against them until their arraignment, which was often months after their arrest. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Security detainees did not have access to lawyers before or during questioning or throughout the preparation and presentation of their defense.
Following the increase in civil unrest in mid-March, many more suspects were accused of political and national security offenses.
The government often failed to notify foreign governments when their citizens were arrested or detained or after they had been released or deported, especially when the case involved political charges. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Arbitrary Arrest: In effect until April 19, the Emergency Law authorized the government to conduct preventive arrests and overrode constitutional and penal code provisions against arbitrary arrest and detention, including the need to obtain warrants.
After the Emergency Law was technically lifted, security forces continued their previous practices and, in fact, arrested more individuals arbitrarily. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
There were also several reports that the security services would arrest relatives of a wanted person to pressure that individual to surrender.
Warrants and court orders were rarely issued or presented before an arrest.
Most detentions were made secretly at the order of one of the security branches.
Arbitrary and false arrests were common, and detainees had no legal redress.
Often the authorities cited no reasons for arresting civilians. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Human rights observers and watchdog groups estimated that the government arbitrarily arrested tens of thousands of citizens during the year, most notably those who took part in antigovernment demonstrations, but also alleged Islamists, Muslim Brotherhood members, and civil society and human rights activists. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Activists and international humanitarian organizations stated that government forces conducted security raids in response to antigovernment protests in several Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 9 towns and cities, including Dara’a, the Damascus suburb of Muadamiyah, the coastal city of Lattakia, and the central cities of Homs and Hama, arresting men between 16 and 50 years old. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On March 25, the secret police arrested a foreign engineer in Damascus for filming antigovernment protests and held him in an undisclosed location.
Security authorities reportedly forced him to make a taped confession broadcast on state television, where he said he had sold photographs of demonstrations to a foreign government.
On April 1, he was released from custody without charge and allowed to leave the country.
The government did not notify his embassy of the arrest or allow access to him. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Pretrial Detention: Many people who disappeared were believed to be either in long-term detention without charge or possibly to have died while detained.
Many detainees brought to trial had been held incommunicado for years.
A shortage of available courts and lack of legal provisions for a speedy trial or plea bargaining also contributed to lengthy pretrial detentions. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Amnesty: There were two announced amnesties during the year, with President Asad reportedly pardoning or reducing sentences of thousands of prisoners of conscience as well as other prisoners.
Several known political prisoners were released, including Haithem al-Maleh and blogger Kamal Sheikho; however, Shiekho was subsequently rearrested on March 16 after engaging in a protest calling for the release of political prisoners. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
HRW reported on December 27 that authorities transferred hundreds of detainees to off-limits military sites to hide them from Arab League monitors in the country.
e. Denial of Fair Public Trial The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but courts were regularly subject to political influence, and outcomes of cases with political context appeared predetermined.
An estimated 95 percent of judges were Ba’athists or closely aligned to the Ba’ath Party. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Trial Procedures Defendants before civil and criminal courts are entitled to legal representation of their choice; the courts appoint lawyers for indigents.
Defendants are presumed innocent and are allowed to present evidence and to confront their accusers.
Trials are public, except for those involving juveniles or sex offenses. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Defendants can Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 10 appeal verdicts to a provincial appeals court and ultimately to the Court of Cassation.
There are no juries.
Defendants and their attorneys have access to government-held evidence relevant to their cases. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Human rights lawyers noted that in some politically charged cases, the prosecution case files that defense lawyers were allowed to see did not include any evidence.
Not all citizens enjoyed these rights equally because parts of the family and criminal law are based on sharia and discriminate against women.
Some personal status laws use sharia regardless of the religion of those involved. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On April 18, President Asad formally announced the dissolution of the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC), which conducted unfair, nonpublic trials not subject to judicial appeal.
Political Prisoners and Detainees Throughout the year the government detained critics and charged them with a wide range of political crimes, including treason. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The number of political prisoners and detainees--both citizens and foreigners--was difficult to determine due to the lack of official government information and because different security services, each of which maintained its own incarceration facilities, held significant numbers of such detainees.
Authorities refused to divulge information regarding numbers or names of persons in detention on political or security-related charges. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Local human rights observers estimated that authorities arrested more than 10,000 political prisoners between March 15 and year’s end, a marked increase from the previous year.
The figure included participants in antigovernment protests.
The government frequently held political detainees in regular jails or in detention centers run by the security forces for extended periods without charges or trials and did not inform their families.
The government tried such detainees in criminal court. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
During the year the government rearrested and briefly detained several signatories of the Damascus Declaration (a statement of unity by Syrian opposition figures issued in 2005), most notably Riad Seif and Ali Abdallah.
On June 17, after his May amnesty, security forces rearrested Abdallah and subsequently released him on July 20.
On May 5, security forces rearrested Seif after he participated in antigovernment protests in Damascus but released him after 10 days. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On February 14, the government sentenced 18-year-old blogger Tal al-Mallouhi to five years in prison for the “leaking of sensitive information” on her blog.
Mallouhi was first arrested in 2009 and held for more than one year without being Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 11 charged or provided legal representation and without access to her family. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The secret trial took place at the SSSC without independent observers.
Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies Civil remedies for human rights violations were in practice nonexistent.
Property Restitution Security forces routinely seized detainees’ property and personal items.
Following the beginning of civil unrest, confiscation of personal telephones, computers, and electronics by the authorities increased sharply.
According to local human rights contacts, specific cases were too frequent to track. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Security forces did not catalogue these items in accordance with the law, and although detained individuals had the right to retrieve them after their release, authorities often did not return the property.
f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence The law prohibits such actions, but the Emergency Law in effect until April 19 authorized security services to enter homes and conduct searches without warrants if broadly defined security matters are involved. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
After the Emergency Law was lifted, the practice reportedly continued.
Police bypassed the normal search warrant requirement in most instances by citing security reasons or emergency grounds for entry.
Random home raids occurred in the large cities or towns of most governorates, usually following large antigovernment protests.
The government opened mail addressed to both citizens and foreign residents and routinely monitored Internet communications, including e-mail (see section 2.a.). | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government barred membership in some political organizations, including Islamist parties, whose members were often arrested.
The government tolerated other illegal political parties (see section 3, Elections and Political Participation).
The government actively targeted and arbitrarily arrested the family members of government critics and human rights groups.
On August 30, air force intelligence agents seized Yassin Ziadeh, the brother of exiled activist Radwan Ziadeh. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Activists reported that the government targeted Yassin due to his brother’s criticisms of the regime.
At year’s end Yassin continued to be held incommunicado at an unknown location and had not been charged.
Composer Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 12 Malek Jandali’s parents were killed in their home in Homs in retaliation for Jendali’s activities in the United States. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
There were unconfirmed reports that security personnel forced prisoners to watch relatives being tortured to extract confessions.
Section 2.
Respect for Civil Liberties, Including: a.
Freedom of Speech and Press Status of Freedom of Speech and Press While the constitution provides for freedom of speech and the press, the government virtually eliminated these rights in practice. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Freedom of Speech: The government maintained broad discretion to determine what constituted illegal expression, and individuals could not criticize the government publicly or privately without fear of reprisal.
The regime also stifled criticism by invoking penal code articles prohibiting acts or speech inciting sectarianism, and it monitored political meetings and used informer networks. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Freedom of Press: The government exercised extensive control over local print and broadcast media, and the law imposes strict punishment for reporters who do not reveal their government sources in response to government requests.
The government or the Ba’ath Party owned and operated most newspaper publishing houses.
A number of quasi-independent periodicals, usually owned and produced by individuals with government connections, were published during the year. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government prohibited all Kurdish-language publications, although there were credible reports that such publications were available in the country.
The government owned some radio and most local television companies, and the Ministry of Information closely monitored all radio and television news and entertainment programs to ensure adherence to government policies.
Despite restrictions on ownership and use, satellite dishes were widely used, although the government jammed some Arab networks. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government owned or controlled nearly all book publishing houses.
Books critical of the regime were illegal.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 13 Violence and Harassment: As in previous years, government forces detained, arrested, and harassed journalists and other writers for works deemed critical of the state. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Harassment included attempts at intimidation, banning them from the country, having journalists dismissed from their positions, or failing to respond to requests for continued accreditation.
Journalists were also subject to physical attacks during the year.
There were increased reports of government harassment of foreign correspondents covering the unrest in the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government accused satellite channels, such as Al Jazeera, of distorting or fabricating the facts, and the regime sponsored aggressive demonstrations outside the embassy of Qatar, the country where Al Jazeera is based.
It was very difficult for correspondents to obtain visas, although some of this eased in December.
Government security forces often followed and monitored foreign reporters throughout the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On August 25, according to human rights observers, masked men who reportedly were part of a proregime group kidnapped prominent cartoonist and activist Ali Ferzat and broke both his hands so that he could no longer draw, before leaving him by the side of the road with a bag over his head.
At year’s end there had been no public investigations or arrests related to the case. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Raghda Hassan, a writer and veteran activist arrested by security forces in February 2010, was released early from prison during the year.
Censorship or Content Restrictions: The government strictly controlled the dissemination of information and prohibited most criticism of the government and discussion of sectarian issues, including religious and ethnic minority rights. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The Ministries of Information and Culture censored domestic and foreign publications prior to circulation or importation and stopped circulation when content was judged to be critical or sensitive.
Publication or distribution of any material security officials deemed threatening or embarrassing to the government was prohibited.
Censorship was usually greater for materials in Arabic. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Local journalists exercised self-censorship on subjects such as criticism of the president and his family, security services, or Alawite religious groups.
Foreign journalists who did not observe these guidelines were barred from the country, and domestic journalists who broke the rules and wrote on these issues were required to live outside the country or risk being arrested upon their return. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 14 Libel Laws/National Security: The media law in force until August 25 prohibited the publication of “inaccurate” information, particularly if it “causes public unrest, disturbs international relations, violates the dignity of the state or national unity, affects the morale of the armed forces, or inflicts harm on the national economy and the safety of the monetary system.” Persons found guilty of publishing such information were subject to prison terms ranging from one to three years and fines ranging from 500,000 to one million Syrian pounds (SYP) ($9,000 to $18,000). | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
According to the new media law issued on August 25, journalists could not be imprisoned for practicing their profession; however, they could face fines of up to one million SYP ($18,000) for speaking out against the regime.
Internet Freedom There were government restrictions on access to the Internet and reports that the government monitored e-mail or Internet chat rooms. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Individuals and groups could not engage without prospect of punishment in the expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail.
The government applied the media law, as well as general legal code, to regulate Internet use and prosecute users.
The government often monitored Internet communications, including e-mail, and interfered and blocked Internet service in various cities.
The security branches were largely responsible for restricting Internet freedom. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government made no attempts to oversee or restrict the security branches’ monitoring and censoring of the Internet.
Internet blackouts often occurred on Fridays to coincide with the usual timing of antigovernment protests.
According to various groups, all of the country’s Internet service providers regularly blocked access to a variety of Web sites. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Observers estimated that approximately 180 sites were blocked at one time or another, including the proreform Web site All4syria.org and sites associated with Kurdish opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, and antigovernment Arabic newspapers such as Sharq al-Awsat. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On February 8, after nearly five years, the government lifted bans on Facebook and YouTube; however, human rights observers reported the government continued to impede the flow of information on government violence out of the country, particularly YouTube images of protesters being beaten, arrested, and killed.
In December the government banned the use or import of iPhones, which had been used by citizens to document and share evidence of violence surrounding the protests. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Human rights activists believed the government often attempted to collect personally identifiable information of activists on the Internet in order to coerce or retaliate against them. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Activists reported that they were forced by Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 15 authorities to turn over the passwords to their e-mail and social media accounts, and that their Web sites and accounts were subject to attacks by cybercriminals with allegiance to the government. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Opposition members and independent reports indicated that Internet and mobile communications were cut off on a regional basis during key moments of unrest.
On July 1, authorities arrested blogger Anas Al-Marawi after he demanded that President Asad leave the country.
He was released without charge on August 28.
Academic Freedom and Cultural Events The government restricted academic freedom and cultural events.
Teachers generally were not permitted to express ideas contrary to government policy. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Authorities permitted slightly more freedom of expression at the university level, but the government imposed restrictions on the ability of public universities to associate with foreign cultural centers.
The Ministry of Culture banned and censored films and exercised the right of approval over films shown at cultural centers operated by foreign embassies.
b. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
b.
Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association Freedom of Assembly The constitution provides for the right of assembly, but Emergency Law provisions superseded this right, and the government continued to restrict freedom of assembly after the Emergency Law’s repeal.
On September 6, President Asad issued Decree No.
110 amending the law regulating peaceful protest. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
110 amending the law regulating peaceful protest.
The amendment restored to the government the broad powers it previously exercised under the Emergency Law, and it criminalized demonstrations, increasing penalties for violators from a fine of 5,000 SYP ($90) to as much as one year’s imprisonment plus a fine of 50,000 SYP ($900).
Ministry of Interior permission is required for demonstrations or any public gathering of more than three persons. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The ministry generally did not respond to requests or approved them after the scheduled date of the event.
As a rule only demonstrations by the government, government-affiliated groups, or the Ba’ath Party were authorized, and these were orchestrated by the regime on numerous occasions. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 16 The government used unnecessary force against peaceful demonstrators on many occasions during the year, killing numerous persons (see section 1.a.).
For example, on March 16, family members of prisoners of conscience gathered in a Damascus square to support those detained. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Within minutes of beginning, security officers dressed in civilian clothing allegedly violently dispersed the silent vigil, which included women, children, and the elderly, and detained at least 34 persons.
Freedom of Association The constitution permits private associations but also grants the government the right to limit their activities.
In practice the government restricted freedom of association, requiring prior registration and approval for private associations. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government restricted the activities of associations and their members, and the executive boards of professional associations were not independent.
The government often denied requests for registration or failed to act on them, presumably on political grounds.
None of the approximately 14 local human rights organizations operated with a license, but many functioned under organizations that had requisite government registration. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government continued to block the multiyear effort by journalists to form a regional Arab media association.
On August 4, President Asad issued a decree permitting the legal establishment of independent political parties; the press reported several proregime groups were establishing parties (see section 3, Elections and Political Participation). | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Under the authority of laws that criminalize membership and activity in organizations that the government deems illegal, security forces arrested hundreds of persons linked to local human rights groups and prodemocracy student groups.
c. Freedom of Religion See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at www.state.gov/j/drl/irf/rpt. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
d. Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons The constitution provides for freedom of movement “within the territories of the state unless restricted by a judicial decision or by the implementation of laws.” In practice the government imposed restrictions on in-country movement and foreign travel. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government generally cooperated with the Office of the UN High Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 17 Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and other humanitarian organizations in assisting refugees and asylum seekers.
In-country Movement: The government maintained security checkpoints, primarily in military and other restricted areas. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Foreign diplomats were not permitted to travel in most of the country, and following the unrest, they were rarely granted permission to travel outside Damascus.
Foreign Travel: Although citizens are ostensibly free to travel internationally, in practice the government limited freedom of movement for foreign travel and emigration by requiring citizens to apply for exit visas.
In addition, the government often imposed travel bans on oppositionists and human rights or civil society activists. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Individuals the government banned from traveling internationally during the year included many of the Damascus Declaration members, political activists, and bloggers.
Human rights observers believed the actual number of activists affected by a travel ban was in the tens of thousands and increased throughout the year.
Many citizens learned of the ban against their travel only after they were prevented from departing the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government usually applied travel bans without explanation for their basis or duration, including in cases when individuals needed to travel for health reasons.
The government often reported it had lifted a travel ban against a certain activist but nevertheless prevented him or her from traveling outside the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
For instance, on August 30, security officials prevented Damascus Declaration leader Riad Seif from traveling, although the government announced his travel ban had been lifted earlier in the year.
Seif was attempting to travel to Germany for cancer treatment, but security officials alleged that he had suspicious luggage and did not allow him on the plane. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In June President Asad reportedly placed a travel ban on his cousin, Brigadier General Atef Najib, the head of the security forces in Dara’a, in response to the use of excessive force there.
There was no report of any credible investigation by the government into state security operations or any court rulings against Najib. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Women over age 18 have the legal right to travel without the permission of male relatives, but a husband may file a request with the Interior Ministry to prohibit his wife from departing the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 18 Emigration and Repatriation: Persons who have unsuccessfully sought asylum in other countries and who have past connections with the Muslim Brotherhood have been prosecuted upon their return to the country.
The law provides for the prosecution of any person who attempts to seek refuge in another country to escape a penalty in Syria. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government routinely arrested dissidents and former citizens with no known political affiliation who tried to return to the country after years or even decades in self-imposed exile.
Emigrants who did not complete mandatory military service could pay a fee to avoid conscription while visiting the country.
Persons of Syrian origin who were born in a foreign country but were able to demonstrate service in the army of the country of birth were exempt from military service without payment. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Observers estimated there were approximately 300,000 IDPs in the country with numerous media reports on the increasing numbers of internally displaced persons due to drought and political unrest.
It was unclear whether there were laws and policies in place in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
The government provided limited food relief through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In cooperation with the SARC, international organizations such as the World Food Program and International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provided additional food and medical assistance.
There were no government resettlement efforts for IDPs.
Protection of Refugees Access to Asylum: The country’s laws provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government respected the UNHCR’s eligibility determinations regarding asylum seekers.
Nonrefoulement: During the year the government forced at least 84 asylum seekers to return to where their lives or freedom may have been threatened.
The government also forcibly returned some Iraqi refugees, including women whom authorities had arrested on charges of prostitution, depositing them across the border in Iraq.
Refugee Abuse: Incidents of refugee abuse occurred. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
For example, in August military forces swept through the al-Ramel Palestinian refugee camp in Latakia, forcing approximately 8,000 refugees to flee.
The population was displaced to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 19 beach and to a nearby stadium while the military terrorized the few residents who remained in the camp.
The refugees subsequently returned to their homes in the camp. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In October military forces detained a 15-year-old Iraqi refugee and deported him back to Iraq without notifying the UNHCR.
The boy claimed he was raped and tortured in custody with electric shocks to extract information on the alleged illegal activity of other refugees. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
During the year the UNHCR assisted 711 refugee victims of gender-based violence through several “safe houses” in Damascus that provided accommodation, food, social counseling, vocational training, and legal and medical services for refugee women and children who had suffered any form of violence in the country or prior to their arrival.
Employment: The law does not explicitly permit refugees, except for Palestinians, the right to work. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government rarely granted refugees a work permit; however, many refugees found work in the informal sector as guards, construction workers, street vendors, and in other manual jobs.
UN agencies reported that security services continued the practice of detaining Iraqi refugees for working without a permit.
Access to Basic Services: The law allows for the issuance of identity cards to Palestinian refugees and the same access to basic services provided to citizens. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Iraqi refugees are also allowed access to publicly available services, such as health care and education.
Stateless Persons Citizenship is derived solely from the father, living or deceased.
Following the 1962 census, approximately 120,000 Kurds lost their citizenship.
The single-day census in 1962 was ordained by legislative decree and executed unannounced to the inhabitants of al-Hassake Province.
Government justification for this measure was to identify Kurds who had entered the country since 1945. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In practice anyone who was not registered for any reason or did not have all the required paperwork became “foreign” overnight, and anyone who refused to participate was recorded as “undocumented.” This process stripped some 150,000 Kurds of Syrian nationality.
As a result they and their descendants lacked identity cards and therefore were unable to access government services, including health care and education.
They also faced social and economic discrimination. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Furthermore, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 20 stateless Kurds do not have the right to inherit or bequeath assets, and their lack of citizenship or identity documents restricted their travel to and from the country.
On April 7, President Asad issued Decree No. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
On April 7, President Asad issued Decree No.
49 declaring that stateless Kurds in the Hassake Governorate registered as “foreigners” could apply for citizenship, and as of September 13, the Web site KurdWatch reported that 51,000 stateless Kurds had received identity cards indicating their citizenship.
However, the decree did not extend to the approximately 160,000 “unregistered” stateless Kurds, who remained without a national identity at year’s end.
Section 3. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Section 3.
Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government Although the constitution provides the right for citizens to peacefully change their government through elections, in practice they did not have that right because elections were neither free nor fair.
Elections and Political Participation Recent Elections: On December 12, local council elections were held across the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government claimed widespread participation, with upwards of 85 percent voter turnout in some areas.
However, reports from activists indicated very low voter turnout and low public awareness of candidates running for office.
The most recent presidential and parliamentary elections took place in 2007.
The government barred international election monitors from entering the country to observe the elections. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Local and international human rights advocates found the elections neither free nor fair and stated that they served to reassert the primacy and political monopoly on power of President Bashar al-Asad and the Ba’ath Party.
Although some opposition groups estimated voter turnout in the presidential election at significantly less than 50 percent, the government’s official statistics reported voter turnout to be 96 percent, and President Asad reportedly won 98 percent of the vote. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Outside observers uniformly dismissed the voter statistics as fraudulent and not representative of observed participation.
On September 28, President Asad issued Decree No.
374, forming the Higher Committee for Elections, which is composed of five judges and tasked with supervising the electoral process. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 21 Political Parties: The president and the Ba’ath Party suppressed political opposition.
The constitution provides that the Ba’ath Party is the ruling party and ensures that it has a majority in all government and popular associations, such as workers’ and women’s groups.
The Ba’ath Party dominated the 250-member People’s Council. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The Ba’ath Party and nine other smaller satellite political parties constitute the coalition National Progressive Front, the only framework for legal political party participation for citizens.
This changed on August 4 when President Asad issued Decree No.
100, which allows the establishment of political parties, although it forbids those based on religion, tribal affiliation, or regional interests.
Several political groups tolerated by the government were planning to establish political parties. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Membership in the Ba’ath Party or close familial relations with a prominent party member or powerful government official assisted in economic, social, or educational advancement.
Party or government connections made it easier to gain admission into better schools, access lucrative employment, and achieve greater advancement and power within the government, military, and security services. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
The government reserved certain prominent positions, such as provincial governorships, solely for Ba’ath Party members.
In practice the government tolerated some other political parties, such as the Communist Union Movement, and it subjected members of other parties, such as the Communist Action Party, People’s Party, and Arab Social Union, to harassment but not automatic arrest for membership.
Members of Islamist parties were subject to immediate arrest. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Including the Muslim Brotherhood and 12 Syrian Kurdish parties, there were an estimated 30 illegal opposition political parties of varying sizes and influence operating in the country.
Participation of Women and Minorities: Women and minorities generally participated in the political system without formal restriction.
During the year a female vice president and three female cabinet ministers were in office.
Thirty of the 250 members of parliament were women. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In addition, the president had two high-ranking female advisors.
There are Christian, Druze, and Kurdish ministers in the parliament.
Alawites, the ruling religious minority, held greater power in the cabinet.
Section 4. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Section 4.
Official Corruption and Government Transparency Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 22 The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively.
Corruption continued to be a pervasive problem in the police forces and security services. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
During the year there were reports of prison guards demanding bribes from prisoners and their visitors.
Visiting family members who paid higher bribes enjoyed visits to detainees without police surveillance.
Bribes reportedly ranged from 200 to 3,300 SYP ($3.60 to $60).
Human rights lawyers and family members of detainees said government officials in courts and prisons solicited bribes for favorable decisions and provision of basic services. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Traffic police officers regularly solicited bribes from drivers, and child laborers reported bribing police to avoid arrest.
Beginning in mid-March Rami Makhlouf, the wealthiest man in the country and a cousin of President Asad, was the target of public anger and a symbol of regime corruption.
Makhlouf is believed to own majority interests in several industries such as telecommunications, industry, oil, and duty-free shops. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In response to widespread protests, on June 16, Makhlouf publicly announced he would dedicate his assets and time to charity work.
There are no public financial disclosure laws for public officials.
The prime minister’s Central Commission for Control and Inspection is the main administrative body responsible for coordinating and monitoring public sector corruption.
Each government body, including the ministries, has a Control and Inspection Department that reports directly to the Central Commission. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In previous years there were no laws providing for public access to government information, and the government granted no access in practice.
The media law issued on August 25 provides for access to information from ministries and other government institutions, but there was no information about whether it was implemented during the year.
Section 5. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Section 5.
Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights The government restricted attempts to investigate alleged human rights violations and rarely cooperated with any independent attempts to look into alleged violations.
The government did not grant permission for the formation of any domestic human rights organizations. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Dozens of such groups operated illegally in the country and increased as a result of civil unrest throughout the year.
During the year there were reports that the government harassed domestic human rights activists by subjecting them to regular surveillance and imposing travel bans as Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SYRIA 23 they sought to attend workshops and conferences outside the country. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Domestic organizations reported that they rarely received responses from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
The government normally responded to queries from human rights organizations and foreign embassies regarding specific cases by reporting that the case was still under investigation; that the prisoner in question had violated national security laws; or, if the case was in criminal court, that the executive could not interfere with the allegedly independent judiciary. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
In general the government was highly suspicious of international human rights NGOs and typically did not allow them into the country.
As a matter of policy, the government denied to international human rights groups that it had committed any human rights abuses.
The government continued to bar HRW from visiting the country.
It denied other organizations access to several locations where government agents were launching assaults on antigovernment protesters. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Following the onset of unrest in mid-March, the government also placed more restrictions on humanitarian and aid organizations. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
UN and Other International Bodies: The government failed to cooperate with or grant access to the UNHRC’s independent commission of inquiry, explaining that it would examine the possibility of cooperating with the commission once the work of its own independent special legal commission was completed; however, there were no reports that the government took steps to establish its own commission during the year.
The UN commission published its report on November 28. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
While the regime permitted Arab League monitors to enter the country, it restricted their access and movement.
The majority of participating Arab countries pulled their monitors from the mission due to the government’s impediments to the monitors’ efforts and the continued killing of civilians and other human rights violations.
Section 6. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |
Section 6.
Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons The constitution provides for equal rights and equal opportunity for all citizens and prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, disability, language, or social status.
The government did not enforce the law effectively or make any serious attempt to do so. | https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thematic2f/pw_2/1722004952929.pdf | https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186661.pdf | Syrian Arab Republic |