Ribal Al-Assad calls on the Syrian regime to release jailed human rights lawyer

Muhannad Al Hassani, a prominent Syrian human rights lawyer and activist, has been sentenced to three years in jail by Syrian courts for “spreading false information likely to weaken the morale of the nation”. Mr Hassani is the winner of the 2010 Martin Ennals award for human rights defenders.

Speaking about Mr Hassani a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said:

"The UK deeply regrets this sentence and urges the Syrian government to overturn the decision and release Al Hassani. We remain seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Syria and call on the Syrian government to fulfil all of its human rights obligations, and allow its citizens to practice the right to freedom of expression without fear of arbitrary arrest, intimidation and imprisonment.”

The U.S. Government also condemned Syria for jailing Mr Hassani. Mark Toner, a spokesman for the State Department, said Mr Hassani's sentencing is "an example of Syria's failure to comply with minimum international human rights standards."

He added that the conviction "sends a clear message to the world: Syria will not tolerate peaceful forms of freedom of expression. We call on the Syrian government to meet its responsibilities under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

Amnesty International also condemned Mr Hassani's sentence and called for his release. Amnesty International's Middle East Director Malcolm Smart said:

“Muhannad Al-Hassani should not have been on trial in the first place. He’s a prisoner of conscience who has done no more than stand up for the human rights of those who fall foul of the Syrian authorities and expose unfair trials and other abuses.”

Speaking about Mr Hassani's case, ODFS Director, Ribal Al-Assad said:

"I join the British and American Governments, and Amnesty International in condemning the jailing of Muhannad Al Hassani and call on the Syrian regime to overturn his conviction and release him and all other political prisoners immediately. Mr Hassani's imprisonment shows that the Syrian regime does not respect basic international human rights standards for its citizens. I urge the regime to allow freedom of expression and association and move towards genuine democracy and freedom in a peaceful and transitional way through engagement and dialogue with all individuals and groups who believe in democracy."