18 October 2001

Alert

Two of journalist Nizar Nayyouf's brothers dismissed, another intimidated


Incident details

Nizar Nayyouf

other

harassed

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(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to President Bashar al-Assad, RSF expressed its deep concern after the recent dismissals of two of journalist Nizar Nayyouf's brothers. RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard asked the president to "order the cancellation of this decision so that the brothers may be reinstated in their jobs." Ménard added, "The Syrian authorities now show that they do not hesitate to attack Nizar Nayyouf's relatives, to punish him for his statements. These are cowardly practices." RSF pointed out that one journalist, 'Adel Isma'il, is currently imprisoned in Syria. Arrested in 1996, he was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.




According to information collected by RSF, two of Nayyouf's brothers, Amjad and Mamdouh Nayyouf, who worked as teachers in governmental establishments, were dismissed a few days ago. Amjad Nayyouf received a letter dated 2 October 2001 and signed by Prime Minister Mustapha Miro, in which he was informed of his dismissal. No reason was given. Pressure has previously been put on the brothers to break their solidarity with Nayyouf. They have refused.

Moreover, Hayane Nayyouf, another brother who is currently a student at Tischreen University in Lattakia, was threatened by university officials. They told him that he would never pass his exams unless he stated officially that all of his brother's statements were lies.

Released from jail in May after spending nine years in detention, Nayyouf now lives in France. An arrest warrant was issued against him in September. The journalist is charged with "trying to change the constitution by illegal means and issuing false reports from a foreign country." Since his release, he has given numerous interviews to the Arab press in which he has focused on the human rights situation in Syria.

RSF recalls that President al-Assad is included on the organisation's list of international press freedom predators.





Source:

Reporters Without Borders
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
 

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Updates to this story

IFJ accuses government of carrying out "official vendetta" against exiled journalist's family 29 May 2003

More on this case

Authorities threaten to exile journalist Nizar Nayyouf's family 13 November 2001 Journalist allowed to leave country for medical treatment 16 July 2001 RSF appeals to Jacques Chirac, Lionel Jospin and Raimond Forni during Bashar al-Assad's visit to France 25 June 2001 Nizar Nayyouf released after twenty-four hours in detention 22 June 2001 Nizar Nayouf abducted by intelligence agents 20 June 2001 RSF calls for restrictions on journalist Nizar Nayyouf to be lifted 7 May 2001 Journalist Nizar Nayouf released from prison 7 May 2001 Journalist Nizar Nayouf enters second week of hunger strike 30 April 2001 Journalist Nizar Nayyouf on renewed hunger strike, imminent death feared 25 April 2001 Three journalists remain imprisoned; poet describes prison conditions and torture 4 April 2001 RSF deeply concerned about journalist Nizar Nayyouf's health; journalist 'Adel Isma'il also remains imprisoned 1 March 2001 Continued concern for detained journalist and human rights activist Nizar Nayouf 25 September 1996

Syria

Journalist killed in Homs 9 February 2012 Human Rights Watch report documents security forces' use of torture on child detainees 3 February 2012 Authorities detain blogger 16 January 2012 Army shoots protesters attempting to reach observers 12 January 2012 French TV reporter killed in Homs 11 January 2012 See all alerts: Syria


 
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