CONFIDENTIAL
SYRIA
Report by HM Embassy, Damascus
General Observations
The
Syria has a long tradition of political instability. present regime has provided a more stable period than any previous regime in the past twenty years. This stability has not grown out of an established democratic process but has been achieved by consensus backed by force. It should also be remembered that Syria is a country at war, which inevitably leads to some curtail- ment of human rights.
Right No.
(i)
Imprisonment without trial exists, is likely to continue and will vary according to the stability of the ruling regime at the time.
Rating suggested by Post
5
(ii)
Torture is used, and is unlikely to stop in cases where the security of the state is at stake.
5
(iii)
Slavery does not exist.
O
(iv)
People may say what they think but censorship applies to the press, radio and television.
4
(v)
The judiciary are independent but submit, sometimes willingly, to pressure.
5
(vi)
Trade unions exist but they have little independence and are used by the regime to give an impression of the representation of labour.
3
(vii)
There are some restrictions on emigration of young qualified people to ensure that they do not evade military service or "brain drain" to better paid countries.
CONFIDENTIAL