The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) in conjunction with the Arab Orient Centre launches a humanitarian campaign for the release of detainees of conscience in the Syrian Prisons, and to release the Lawyer Haitham al-Maleh, the two students Ayaat Ahmed and Tal al-Malouhi, the writer Ali al-Abdullah, and the Human Rights Activist Muhannad al-Hassani...

In the first place this is to address President Bashar al-Asad relaying that the strength of the nation stems from the strength of its citizens, and that the strength of the citizens stems from their empowerment through freedom, dignity and respect.

We then address the free people of this world to join us in calling upon the president of the Syrian Arab Republic as part of a humanitarian initiative to release all detainees of conscience in the Syrian Prisons, regardless of the pretext attached to them. Through their patience and efforts, the Syrian people are entitled and deserving of being given their human and civil rights.

In the name of all the signatories of this humanitarian appeal, we look forward an immediate response from the President to instruct those concerned to immediately release the lawyer and human rights activist Haitham al-Maleh, the students Ayaat Ahmed and Tal al-Malouhi, writer Ali al-Abdullah, and the human rights activist Muhannad al-Hassani...

We call upon you all to work together for the repeal of laws based on fear and intimidation which target ideologies, thoughts and opinion, bearing in mind that despite their ideological differences the Syrian people remain united in the cause for justice, equity and the defence of their homeland.

We also call upon all Syrian and Arab citizens to join this campaign for the sake of the lawyer Haitham al-Maleh who is almost 80 years old and is awaiting a trial at the Military court which is non-specialised in his case. At his old age, Haitham al-Maleh has continued to act as a father figure for Syrians, defending their rights, particularly those who are weak and oppressed. It is only fitting that we now turn to help and support him.

We call upon you to join us for the sake of the two pupils Ayaat Ahmed and Tal al-Malouhi, and to sign for the sake of their innocence. The accusation of these two young girls as posing a threat to the nation is ridiculous and entirely unqualified.

We call upon you to join us for the sake of Ali al-Abdullah, whose sentence and accusation was renewed and who was returned to his prison due to an article he wrote.

We call upon you all to join and  become a signatory of this humanitarian campaign in order to strengthen progress of human rights in Syria and bring back the freedom of its men and women.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee
June 29th 2010