Activists Join Senators in Call for State Department Action on Internet Freedom

Senator Brownback promises a hold on nominations until State Department acts on appropriations

Washington, D.C. — Surrounded by front-line activists from Iran, China, Cuba, Syria, Tibet, and the Uyghur Region of East Turkestan, Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) promised to put State Department nominations on hold until the Department follows Secretary Clinton’s January 21st Internet freedom speech with decisive action. “Those who have gathered here agree on one incredible fact: That we have it within our power to tear down the firewalls of oppression, right now, by supporting technology that shatters the censorship apparatus of regimes worldwide,” Senator Brownback said at a March 18 press conference in the Capitol Visitors Center. Continue reading “Activists Join Senators in Call for State Department Action on Internet Freedom” →

Free Fedaa!

As the elected president of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration, the largest opposition movement in Syria, Dr. Fedaa Al-Horani, now languishing in Syrian jails alongside other Council members and thousands of Syrian political prisoners of all ages and political backgrounds, is simply put our Syrian Aung San Suu Kyi. Unfortunately, her plight and that of her comrades continue to receive scant international attention. But, as the International Woman’s Day (March 8th) approaches, it seems fitting for all free Syrians to celebrate the achievements and stands of Dr. Al-Horani. Here’s to a great lady!

Syrian Novelist Talks About Impediments to Greater Democracy in the Arab World

By Douglas Schuette, Arab America – Washington

Washington-based democracy activist Ammar Abdulhamid says virtually no progress has been made in opening up the political system in his native Syria since he fled the country more than five years ago. He and his family were forced into exile in 2005 because of his outspoken criticism of the regime.

Abdulhamid says the situation has instead grown “increasingly dismal,” with more crackdowns on political opponents than ever before. Continue reading “Syrian Novelist Talks About Impediments to Greater Democracy in the Arab World” →

Simple Facebook question raises problems around the world

Quoted in CNN

Facebook recently changed its listing for the Golan Heights — which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 — so users there could choose to say whether they live in Israel or Syria.

It was responding to pressure from a pro-Israel group called HonestReporting — and from Facebook users who set up a group on the site itself called “Facebook, Golan Residents Live in Israel, not Syria.” Continue reading “Simple Facebook question raises problems around the world” →