Aktham
Naisse is a Syrian lawyer who has been working for human rights and democracy
in Syria for nearly 30 years. In 1989 he helped to create the Committee for the
Defence of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF) and serves as
the organization's president. He also helped to start the Syrian publication “Sawt
al-Dimokratiyyah” (The Voice of Democracy) and has written many articles for this
publication as well as in international forums. In late 1991 he was arrested and
tortured and in 1992 he was sentenced to 9 years in prison for his peaceful activities
calling for human rights reform in his nation. Thanks to international pressure
and because of severe health problems, Aktham Naisse was released in 1998. After
his release, he continued to work with CDF for human rights in Syria, despite
continual threats, harassment and detentions. In 2004 he helped organize a peaceful
sit-in demonstration for democratic reforms and in support of political prisoners.
This was the first such protest in Syria for over 40 years. 700 people, including
Aktham Naisse were arrested. Although released the next day, he was arrested again
the following month. Already in poor health, he suffered a stroke while in detention,
and faced the possibility of 15 years in prison. International pressure mounted
while he awaited trial, and finally Aktham Naisse was acquitted in July 2005.
In October 2005 Aktham Naisse received the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights
Defenders for his 30 years of dedication to working to protect human rights.
