Focus has once again turned to human rights abuses in Syria, after the sentencing of twelve leaders of the pro-democracy ‘Damascus Declaration for National Democratic Change’ opposition coalition in a Damascene court two weeks ago. By past standards in Syria, however, the leaders’ two-and-a-half year sentences are considered relatively lenient.

Syria’s human rights record has been closely monitored during its diplomatic isolation and world leaders’ boycott of Damascus after the assassination of Raffia Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister. The West is gradually taking note of human rights abuses cases such as that of blogger Tariq Bayasi, imprisoned for three years for posting comments criticising the secret police. The case of medical doctor and prisoner of conscience Kamal al-Labwani has also recently been in the international spotlight. Imprisoned for ‘scheming with a foreign country, or communicating with one with the aim of causing it to attack Syria’ (this charge relating to his visit to Europe and the USA in 2005 where he met human rights organisations calling for democratic reform in Syria), his twelve-year sentence has been extended by a further three years for allegedly insulting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while in prison. Other incidents attracting international attention and condemnation include the executions of human rights activists Sami Ma’touq and Joni Suleiman, who were shot to death by security forces last month.

Traditionally in Syria the regime has relied on the myth of an ‘old guard’ of corrupt officials who reject attempts to reform. The President has instead focused on the economy and chosen to ignore overtures by foreign leaders, including Britain and France. Recently, however, the regime’s capacity for repression has been limited by international interest in human rights abuses within Syria, and President Bashar al-Assad has been forced to consider world opinion. Negative headlines over Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon and the breakdown of relations with Saudi Arabia and Egypt have all contributed to making his regime more insecure. As a result and in order to show some form of legitimacy, the regime is now keen to build relations with the West.
This helps to explain the leniency of the Damascus Declaration leaders’ sentences, and offers hope to pro-democracy groups within Syria. In recent years these organisations have been strengthening, and the Damascus Declaration for National Democratic Change is just one example of the developing unified opposition within the country. It is hoped that the recently convicted leaders- including charismatic former independent MP Riad Seif - will renew their rightful opposition to the regime upon their release, with knowledge of the international support that has been clearly stated.

Commentators have suggested that in order to encourage the regime to end its human rights abuses, the West should only agree to a conditional engagement with Syria, one that is predicated on tangible improvements in human rights and political freedoms. It is thought that this is the only way to create real reforms and improvements within Syria.