English PEN´s Writer in Prison Committee supports more than 700 writers persecuted worldwide for exercising their right to freedom of expression. As part of their campaigning work, PEN has been highlighting an individual case each month since 2003, initiating appeals to heads of state and relevant government departments and providing vital background information about the country and the writers concerned. In September, PEN is focusing their campaign on Aref Dalila. by Natasha Schmidt from an English PEN report

Dr Aref Dalila, former Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University, author for the banned weekly Al-Doumari and one of the “Damascus Spring” activists, was arrested in Damascus on 9 September 2001 for a lecture during which he reportedly called for democracy and transparency in the country.

Since his arrest, Dalila has been kept in solitary confinement in the political section of the Adra prison in Damascus. He was sentenced in early 2002 to ten years´ hard labour in prison by the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) in a trial that did not comply with international standards.
According to sources, he was badly beaten during an interrogation conducted by a political security agent.

Dalila reportedly distributed false news in order to weaken national sentiment and bring about a change to the constitution. He was also accused of causing racial and sectarian tensions. Many believe the reason behind his detention is his role as part of a political movement called “Damascus Spring”. The movement was founded following the death of former president Hafez al-Asad in June 2000 and the inheritance of the presidency by his son Bashar al-Asad. At the time, Syrian intellectuals and those opposed to the regime initiated a peaceful movement to demand democracy and freedom in Syria. After a few months, Syrian authorities launched a campaign against the civil society activists and arrested ten of them, most of whom have been released over the past few years. Only Dalila remains in detention.
 
Dalila is reported to be in poor health, suffering from both diabetes and heart disease. This condition has been further exacerbated by the poor living standards within the prison as well as exposure to harsh treatment. He started a hunger strike on 12 July 2005 in protest against his solitary confinement and ill-treatment. He recently underwent heart surgery and may need further surgery in the near future.

He has also been adopted by Amnesty International as a ‘prisoner of conscience’. PEN have called for individuals and organizations to send appeals calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Aref Dalila, expressing concern for his health and calling for him to receive any necessary medical attention while he remains in in detention. Appeals may be sent care of the Syrian embassy at the address below:

His Excellency Sami M Khiyami
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
8 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PH
 
Fax: (44) 20 7235 4621