Syria: Prisoner of conscience released, thanks Amnesty members
Posted: August 12, 2008
Former prisoner of conscience Dr Aref Dalilah at his home in Damascus on August 7, 2008. He was released earlier that day after spending seven years in prison for speaking out for human rights in Syria. AFP/Getty Images
The Syrian authorities unexpectedly released Dr Aref Dalilah on August 7, 2008, following a presidential amnesty.
Dalilah is one of the most famous economists in Syria. He has taught at the Universities of Aleppo and Damascus, and is a member of the Syrian Committee for Economic Science which seeks an end to economic corruption in Syria and works for greater freedom of expression.
Dalilah was one of ten prominent individuals detained for their roles in the “Damascus Spring”. The “Damascus Spring” was a brief period of increased tolerance for freedom of expression that took place after Bashar al-Assad became president in July 2000.
Dalilah was arrested in September 2001 and convicted of “attempting to change the constitution by illegal means”. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, and spent much of his time in solitary confinement in 'Adra prison, Damascus. Dalilah's health deteriorated alarmingly while he was in jail. He had a stroke in May 2006, losing some of the feeling on the left side of his body.
Following his release from prison, Dalilah said, “I am thankful for all the efforts made by everyone at Amnesty International and all those who took part in actions on my behalf. We are united in the struggle for the causes of justice and democracy. This struggle is still ongoing.”