Stories about Syria

Digital Citizen 1.9

  18 September 2014

Digital Citizen is a monthly review of news, policy, and research on human rights and technology in the Arab World.

On May 22, Say Happy Birthday To Bassel

  21 May 2014

On May 22, Bassel Safadi will celebrate his 33rd birthday -- his third in a prison cell in Damascus. We do not want him to spend his birthday alone. We want him to hear our voices loud and clear and know that we are still supporting his case.

Digital Citizen 1.6

  12 May 2014

Digital Citizen brings you the latest human rights and technology news from the Arab World. This edition looks at Internet blackouts in Syria and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, new cyber laws in Mauritania and Morocco, and more.

SecDev Foundation to Monitor Syria’s Digital Security

  9 April 2013

SecDev Foundation is launching the Syria Digital Security Monitor, a site that maps and visualizes reports of disruption to critical infrastructure in Syria including internet, telecommunication, electricity and water, and reports on cyber threats.

#FreeBassel: One Year Later, Syrian Netizen Remains in Prison

  15 March 2013

One year ago today, Syrian web developer and open technology advocate Bassel Khartabil was arrested and incarcerated in Damascus, where he has remained ever since. Known among open technology advocates as Bassel Safadi, the 31-year-old served as the Creative Commons lead for Syria. Global Voices Advocacy urges readers to support the campaign for his release by visiting the #freebassel website, tweeting about Bassel's case, or attending an event in his honor.

Video Advocacy Races Forward: 2012’s Dangers & 2013’s Solutions

  26 January 2013

Video is increasingly at the nexus of opportunity and danger for human rights activists. Video helps activists to document, confront, circumvent, and lobby against oppressive authorities—but it also allows those authorities to stalk them. Here's what we think will happen in 2013.

#FastforBassel: Campaign Launched for Syrian Netizen Facing Military Trial

  19 December 2012

Bassel Khartabil, also known as Bassel Safadi, is on military trial in Syria, where he is denied a lawyer. The open source software engineer and Creative Commons volunteer has been in jail since March. Supporters around the world have just launched a #FastforBassel campaign on Twitter to raise awareness about his case.

Free Bassel: Netizen Under Serious Threat

  18 December 2012

Bassel Khartabil Safadi, a Syrian open source developer and pro-democracy activist, has completed 9 months in jail. His friends and family fear for his life as he is being prosecuted by a military court.

Global Voices Where Every Voice Counts

  12 December 2012

The idea that every voice counts is one that is very close to the notion of Global Voices as a platform and as a community. As netizens unite to have their voices heard when the world's authorities argue on who should run the internet, we decided to ask our diverse community to participate and speak out on issues that matter to them and look back at issues we have covered over the year bearing in mind that every voice counts.