Syria: Political Activist Sentenced

The United States condemns the Syrian Military Court’s decision to sentence political prisoner Kamal Labwani to an additional three years for allegedly insulting President Bashar al-Asad. This decision, coupled with the Syrian High Court’s verdict to uphold Mr. Labwani’s earlier 12-year sentence for calling for political reform, demonstrates the Syrian regime’s contempt for human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. This also reflects a legal system that is characterized by politically motivated prosecutions and devoid of legitimate standards. We call on the Syrian Government to immediately release Mr. Labwani and all other political prisoners, including the 13 Damascus Declaration National Council members, as well as political activists Omar Abdullah, Anwar al-Bunni, Aref Dalila, Mahmoud Issa, and Michel Kilo who are unjustly imprisoned.

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