Mr. Aktham Naisse is one of the founding members of the CDDLHR, created in 1989, and the publication Sawt al-Dimokratiyyah (the voice of democracy). Mr. Naisse has written articles and promoted human rights in national, regional and international forums.
Mr. Aktham Naisse is subjected to incessant harassment since many years, due to his commitment in favour of human rights in Syria, notably through recurrent interrogations and summons, acts of surveillance, as well as regular prohibitions to travel abroad. He was arrested and detained several times - often in very precarious conditions - for publicly demanding respect for human rights.
In February 2004, Mr. Naisse was detained during one day and interrogated by the military secret services in Damascus, which accused him and CDDLHR of having illegal contacts and to "work for Europe, the USA and Israel". The arrest followed an on-line petition "To end the state of emergency in Syria", launched by the CDDLHR at the end of January 2004. During his detention, Mr. Naisse was subject to verbal harassment and various threats from military officers (See Observatory Press Release, February 13, 2004).
Furthermore, Mr. Akhtam Naisse was arrested on April 13, 2004, in Latakia, by the military security services. This arrest followed the publication of CDDLHR’s annual report, which denounces flagrant violations of human rights in Syria, and the recent declarations made by CDDLHR representatives denouncing violations against the Kurdish population in the North of the country in March 2004. His whereabouts remained unknown until April 22, 2004, when he was brought before the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) in Damascus. He was then hold in Saidnaya prison, and isolated in the section for ordinary criminals. During the first week of his detention, his health condition considerably deteriorated.
The trial of Mr. Aktham Naisse began on July 26, 2004, before the SSSC in Damascus. Mr. Naisse has been charged with "opposing the objectives of the revolution", "disseminating false information aiming at weakening the State" and "affiliating with international organisations". However, as a consequence of an amnesty granted by the Syrian President on July 15, 2004, the Court dropped the last charge. If he is found guilty of the other facts, Mr. Aktham Naisse may be sentenced to 15 years of penal servitude.
On August 16, 2004, Mr. Aktham Naisse was released on bail, and his trial will resume on January 16, 2005 (See Observatory Urgent Appeals SYR 002/0404/OBS 026 and 026.1, Press Releases on April 21 and 22, 2004, July 27, 2004, August 17, 2004, and last Observatory Annual Reports).
The OMCT and FIDH transmit their warm thoughts of congratulation to Mr. Aktham Naisse, as well as their support in his pursuit of his activities in favour of human rights.
The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), created in 1993, is a unique collaboration among eleven of the world’s leading non-governmental human rights organisations to give protection to human rights defenders worldwide. The Jury is composed of the following: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, International Federation for Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists, World Organisation Against Torture, German Diakonie, International Service for Human Rights, International Alert, Huridocs and DCI.
The previous MEA laureates are: Lida Yusupova, Russia (2004); Alirio Uribe Muñoz, Colombia (2003); Jacqueline Moudeina, Chad (2002); Peace Brigades International (2001); Immaculée Birhaheka, DR Congo (2000); Natasa Kandic, Yugoslavia (1999); Eyad El Sarraj, Palestine (1998); Samuel Ruiz García; Mexico (1997); Clement Nwankwo, Nigeria (1996); Asma Jahangir, Pakistan (1995); Harry Wu, China (1994).
The ceremony will take place in Geneva in September 2005, and several television stations will cover the event. For media contacts and general information on the MEA, please contact Mr. Luis Marreiros, Coordinator. Tel: +41 22 809 49 25 (marreiros@martinennalsaward.org) or visit the website: www.martinennalsaward.org.