Syria
Middle East/North Africa: Journalists & Cyber Activists In the Line of Fire
Article XIX Statement: From Morocco to Bahrain, everyday people have taken on the cast iron hold of dictatorships and absolute monarchies resulting in an extraordinary collective awakening that has paved the way for epochal change in the region. The youth movement, which lies at the core of the uprisings, continues to play a prominent role in the pro-democracy and pro-reform demonstrations, which have swept through the region, unabated by government clampdowns or concessions.
Syria: Stiffer punishment for honour killing
Damascus: Syria has ordered the sentence for those convicted of honour killings tripled to between five and seven years.
The local press reported on Monday that President Bashar Assad amended the current law which stipulated a jail sentence of just two years for those convicted of killing a relative for having illicit sex.
Syria: Syrian Women Reflect on Rare Political Victory
Jailed activist writer Sarah Shourd filed this story in July, shortly before she was seized by Iranian border forces during a hiking trip in Iraqi Kurdistan. With the assistance of her mother, who reached out to Women's eNews, we are able to post the piece with staff updates.
NO EXCEPTIONS FOR 'HONOR KILLINGS'
Human Rights Watch
SYRIA - NO EXCEPTIONS FOR 'HONOR KILLINGS'
PENAL CODE CHANGE POSITIVE, BUT CALL FOR EQUAL
New Drive to Abolish “Honour Crime” Laws
(24-Oct-08)
Syrian leaders have recommended reforming laws under which criminals convicted of so-called “honour crimes” get lenient sentences.