According to the National Organisation of Human Rights in Syria, the security raid against activists in the current affairs, journalists and opposition members is increasing at present because of their endorsement of Beirut-Damascus Declaration which was issued last Friday 12/5/2006.
Early this morning the following activists have been arrested
1- Mr. Mahmud Issa from Homs. He is an ex-political detainee (1992-2000) because of his affiliation to the Communist Labour Party.
2- Dr. Safwan Taifour from Hama, he is an activist in the general affairs
3- Khalid Khalifa from Deir Ezzor
4- Khalil Hussein, a leading member in the Kurdish future Current, and the director of the general relation bureau. He is an ex-detainee for 12 years because of his affiliation to the opposing Communist Labour Party
5- There are also summons against Mr. Sulaiman Shoummar and Kamal Sheikho.
In addition to the two well known Human Rights activists Mr. Mahmud Mar’ee and Nidhal Darwich who have been arrested yesterday by the security authorities. 

SHRC expresses condemnation of the abovementioned arrests which are being conducted outside the rule of the law, and requests that the Syrian authorities should stop this campaign of arrests and immediately release the detainees and give way to the freedoms including the freedom of expression and the right in political action. SHRC appeals to all supporters of human rights in Syria and the International Human Rights organizations to intervene to make an end to series of arrests and human rights violations.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
17/5/2006