3

Whereas Amnesty International has reported that the security forces of Syria are targeting emerging human rights organizations in Syria in an apparent attempt to intimidate those organizations into ceasing their work in Syria; Whereas attorneys in Syria working with these Syrian human rights organizations have reportedly been harassed and persecuted by the government-controlled bar association, which works closely with the ruling Ba'ath Party and the government security forces;

Whereas the criminal law of Syria allows for the acquittal of an accused rapist if the suspect marries the victim;

Whereas the criminal law of Syria provides for reduced sentences in cases of "honor" killings;

Whereas the family law of Syria as applied to Muslim women is governed by Sharia (Islamic) law and is discriminatory in marriage, divorce, and inheritance matters;

Whereas Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.";

Whereas the infringement by Syria on human rights and civil

liberties extends into the Lebanese Republic, which it continues to occupy in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions;

Whereas Human Rights Watch, in its 2003 World Report, stated that: "Political activists in Lebanon continued to demand the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from the country and organized demonstrations throughout the year, many of which the internal security forces dispersed forcibly";

4

Whereas nongovernmental organizations in Lebanon continue their efforts to discover the fate of the nearly 200 "disappeared" Lebanese citizens believed to have been the victims of arbitrary detention or "disappearance" by the Syrian authorities; and

Whereas Freedom House, in its Special Report to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2003, classified Syria as "One of the World's Most Repressive Regimes" for its severe repression of political and civil liberties and its egregious violations of human dignity: Now, therefore, be it

1

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

(1) condemns the numerous violations of fundamental human rights by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic;

(2) calls on the international community to adopt a resolution at the upcoming 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which details the dismal human rights record of Syria and establishes a Special Rapporteur to further investigate these abuses;

(3) expresses its support for the people of Syria in their daily struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-gov

ernance, and the establishment of the rule of law;

(4) encourages the President and the Secretary

of State, acting through the Middle East Partner

5

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

ship Initiative (managed by the Department of State) and other avenues, to reach out to dissidents, human rights activists, and the pro-democracy oppo

sition in Syria, and to assist them in their efforts; and

(5) urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other policies to seek a democratic government in Syria that will—

(A) restore freedom to the people of Syria; (B) cease the illegal occupation by Syria of the Lebanese Republic;

(C) abandon support for terrorism by Syria; and

(D) live in peace and security with the international community.

[COMMITTEE PRINT]

MAY 12, 2004

[Showing the Amendments Adopted by the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia]

108TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H. CON. RES. 363

Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 11, 2004

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. PENCE, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. BERMAN, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Ms. BERKLEY, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

2

Whereas the Syrian Arab Republic is governed by an authori

tarian regime which continues to commit serious human

rights abuses, including the use of torture and arbitrary arrest and detention;

Whereas the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003 states that Syria "significantly restricts freedom of speech and of the press", that "freedom of assembly does not exist under the law", and that "the Government restricted freedom of association";

Whereas Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.";

Whereas Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.";

Whereas Syria's September 2001 press law permits the government to arbitrarily deny or revoke publishing licenses for vague reasons and compels media to submit all material to government censors;

Whereas Syrian authorities have arrested, or, in the case of foreigners, expelled two journalists for writing critically about Syria's policies;

Whereas Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have reported that the security forces of Syria are targeting emerging Syrian human rights organizations, as well as their attorneys, in an apparent attempt to intimidate those organizations;