Syrian government and the Internet.

On the pretext of protecting the public from "subversive ideas" or defending "national security and unity", some governments totally prevent their citizens from gaining access to the Internet. Others control a single ISP or even several, installing filters blocking access to web sites regarded as unsuitable and sometimes forcing users to officially register with the authorities. In a press release made by the well-known French human right organisation 'Reporters San Frontiers' on 9^th August 1999, it said that the Internet is considered a two-edged sword for authoritarian regimes. On the one hand it enables any citizen to enjoy an unprecedented degree of freedom of speech and therefore constitutes a threat to the government. On the other, however, the Internet is a major factor of economic growth, due in particular to online trade and the exchange of technical and scientific information, which prompts some of these governments to support its spread.

"Reporters sans Frontiers" has selected 20 regimes that it regards as enemies of the Internet because they control access totally or partially, have censored or taken action against users.

The government of President Asad officially bans Internet access. Offenders may face prison sentence, just as they may for "unauthorised" contacts with foreigners! Only official organisations are allowed access to the Internet through the public telecommunications authority, whose ISP maintains web sites for state newspapers, the national agency SANA and a few ministries.

Syria has been the cradle of many human civilisations; knowledge and messages were emitted from the Levant and interacted with other world civilisations without apprehending fear or concern on its security and stability. Taking part in that flourishing marsh stimulated security, progress and prosperity in the region. Now, as the world is prepared to receive the third millennium, the Syrian authoritarian regime exceeds all limits by imposing ignorance, isolation, and successive restrictions on Syrian citizens, stripping them of all natural rights. Syria is considered now as underdeveloped country because the Syrian regime has apprehensions, and doubtful about the use of any modern product. Purchasers of typewriters, computers, printers and photocopiers should be monitored as it is likely to use them for opposition purposes. Fax use is very restricted, and users are obliged to register with the concerned authorities. Now it is the turn of Internet and electronic mail to be classified as taboo and unauthorised contact with foreigners!

The Syrian human rights committee calls on the government of president Asad to rectify the position of Internet immediately by doing the following:

1. Abolish the Syrian authority monopoly of Internet access.
2. Cancel any obligation for citizens to register with the government before obtaining Internet access.
3. Abolish censorship through the use of filters, and stop blocking access to certain sites maintained by foreign servers.
4. Protect the confidentiality of Internet exchanges, particularly by lifting controls on electronic mail.
5. Call off the legal proceedings undertaken against Internet users who have done no more than exercise their right to freedom of expression.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee calls on the regime of president Asad whose government has signed the covenant to respect the undertakings his government made to respect civil and political rights of Syrian people.