Tal Mallohi
Encyclopedia
Tal Dosr al-Mallohi born in Homs
January 4, 1991 is a Syrian blogger from Homs
. She is considered the World's youngest prisoner of conscience
. On 27 December 2009, Tal was taken from her home by officers of one of the security offices in Syria because she has written poems about Palestine and social commentaries on her blog. Ever since, her parents didn't know which security office has detained her nor where they can visit their daughter. Tal al-Mallohi has been accused by the Syrian government of being a spy for the United States of America, and sentenced on February 15, 2011 to five years in prison.
In September 2010, Ahed Mallohi (Ahed al-Mallohi), Tal's mother, in a letter appealed to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
to intervene and order the release of her daughter. She emphasized that her daughter had no links to "any organizations in Syria, opposition or otherwise" and her daughter does not grasp anything about politics. She noted that her grandfather, Mohammad Dia al-Mallohi, was a minister under late president Hafez al-Assad
and he served as Minister of State for the People's Assembly. The mother has received a promise by "one of the security authorities" that her daughter will be released before the month of Ramadan, but the month ended without this promise being achieved. A few days after, rumors spread that Tal is under extreme danger of death under torture, which was refuted by Syrian activists at the time.
On 20 September 2010, "DP News" website, known for its close ties to the regime, published a brief article saying that Tal Mallohi was in detention at the "Duma" Women's prison (20 km northwest of Damascus) and that she was referred to the judiciary authorities on charges of espionage. Ahed al-Mallohi in a phone call with the Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, On September 22, objected to the validity of this story saying she visited the prison many times but they always told her that her daughter had not been transferred to the prison.
Egyptian human rights activists on September 12, 2010 issued an invitation to organize a protest held in front of the Syrian Embassy in Cairo on September 19, 2010. It was a protest to show solidarity with the young detainee and to demand her immediate release and disclose information about her fate and whereabouts[10] [14] [15]. The organization Reporters without Borders
was also called upon to pressure the Syrian regime to put an immediate end to this arbitrary detention. They also demanded that the Syrian government releases Tal al-Mallohi immediately.[16]
Human Rights Watch
demanded the immediate release of Tal al-Mallohi. "Detaining a high school student for nine months without charge is typical of the cruel, arbitrary behavior of Syria's security services," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International
said that the detention of al-Mallohi is a "mystery" for the organization, adding that "the case of this student raises many questions, there is no clear reason for her arrest, and isolation from the world in this way"[6]. She also said that Amnesty International
believes that Al-Mallohi is a Prisoner of Conscience
, and the Syrian regime imprisoned her solely because she exercised her right to express her thoughts and aspirations in a peaceful manner. Also noting that Tal is exposed to risk of torture and other types of abuse[17].
Protests have taken place around the world in: Cairo, Pakistan, Germany, France, and Washington D.C., to name just a few. In addition to these protests, the first Syrian Virtual Protest took place on October the 2nd of 2010 for the Freedom of Tal al-Mallohi.
Reporters without borders
reported that a number of at least four influential Syrian internet activists have been behind bars in the year of 2009, making Syria classified among more than 12 countries as "enemies of the Internet"[16] [5] by the report. Syrian authorities also banned an estimated two hundred website, including Facebook
, YouTube
and even Wikipedia
[5][19], but the Syrians citizens and human rights activists, and most users have found ways to get around the bans.[5]
,which is a diplomatic union pushed by France, between Arab and European states as well as Israel[7] [18] [19]. On " My Blog" a picture of Gandhi is published with "will always remain an example" written above it. Many pictures of Sheikh Raed Salah, and the sons of Mahmoud al-Zahar, "martyrs" and pictures of Tayseer Erdogan, with the words Thank Venezuela. And an image of George W. Bush
's face on the body of Hitler. The Background image says "No to torture."
Tal's last post was on September 6 of 2009 which was a poem entitled "Jerusalem, Our Lady of the cities"[20].
The second is the blog titled "Letters" (written by Tal "English Latters") and the first "message" posted on this blog was entitled "The First message to man in this world" dated January 19, 2009
Tal's third blog is titled "The destroyed Palestinian villages" and the latest blog entries from the village where the monastery of St dated May 3, 2009[22].
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
January 4, 1991 is a Syrian blogger from Homs
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
. She is considered the World's youngest prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
. On 27 December 2009, Tal was taken from her home by officers of one of the security offices in Syria because she has written poems about Palestine and social commentaries on her blog. Ever since, her parents didn't know which security office has detained her nor where they can visit their daughter. Tal al-Mallohi has been accused by the Syrian government of being a spy for the United States of America, and sentenced on February 15, 2011 to five years in prison.
Issue of Tal al-Mallohi
According to reports issued by human rights organizations, the state security in Syria summoned al-Mallohi in December 2009 to interrogate her regarding an article she had published on her blog. Few days later, a number of security elements visited her house and seized her computer, CDs, books, and other personal items. Since that date, Tal's parents haven't heard anything about their daughter, her charges, or any information on where she was detained. Moreover, Tal was deprived from participating in the high school exams International Baccalaureate.In September 2010, Ahed Mallohi (Ahed al-Mallohi), Tal's mother, in a letter appealed to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
to intervene and order the release of her daughter. She emphasized that her daughter had no links to "any organizations in Syria, opposition or otherwise" and her daughter does not grasp anything about politics. She noted that her grandfather, Mohammad Dia al-Mallohi, was a minister under late president Hafez al-Assad
Hafez al-Assad
Hafez ibn 'Ali ibn Sulayman al-Assad or more commonly Hafez al-Assad was the President of Syria for three decades. Assad's rule consolidated the power of the central government after decades of coups and counter-coups, such as Operation Wappen in 1957 conducted by the Eisenhower administration and...
and he served as Minister of State for the People's Assembly. The mother has received a promise by "one of the security authorities" that her daughter will be released before the month of Ramadan, but the month ended without this promise being achieved. A few days after, rumors spread that Tal is under extreme danger of death under torture, which was refuted by Syrian activists at the time.
On 20 September 2010, "DP News" website, known for its close ties to the regime, published a brief article saying that Tal Mallohi was in detention at the "Duma" Women's prison (20 km northwest of Damascus) and that she was referred to the judiciary authorities on charges of espionage. Ahed al-Mallohi in a phone call with the Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, On September 22, objected to the validity of this story saying she visited the prison many times but they always told her that her daughter had not been transferred to the prison.
Protests against the detention of Tal al-Mallohi
The arrest prompted many large waves of criticism by bloggers and Human Rights activists in the Arab world and internationally. Arab bloggers published attacks on what is considered repressive random arrests in Syria. The Syrian government (which prohibits political opposition, and human rights activism and has imposed emergency law since the Baath Party took power in 1963) did not issue any official response to or comment on the criticism nor have they provided any information about Tal's whereabouts. It is the policy of the Syrian government to not comment on political arrests[13].Egyptian human rights activists on September 12, 2010 issued an invitation to organize a protest held in front of the Syrian Embassy in Cairo on September 19, 2010. It was a protest to show solidarity with the young detainee and to demand her immediate release and disclose information about her fate and whereabouts[10] [14] [15]. The organization Reporters without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
was also called upon to pressure the Syrian regime to put an immediate end to this arbitrary detention. They also demanded that the Syrian government releases Tal al-Mallohi immediately.[16]
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
demanded the immediate release of Tal al-Mallohi. "Detaining a high school student for nine months without charge is typical of the cruel, arbitrary behavior of Syria's security services," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
said that the detention of al-Mallohi is a "mystery" for the organization, adding that "the case of this student raises many questions, there is no clear reason for her arrest, and isolation from the world in this way"[6]. She also said that Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
believes that Al-Mallohi is a Prisoner of Conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
, and the Syrian regime imprisoned her solely because she exercised her right to express her thoughts and aspirations in a peaceful manner. Also noting that Tal is exposed to risk of torture and other types of abuse[17].
Protests have taken place around the world in: Cairo, Pakistan, Germany, France, and Washington D.C., to name just a few. In addition to these protests, the first Syrian Virtual Protest took place on October the 2nd of 2010 for the Freedom of Tal al-Mallohi.
Earlier arrests of Syrian bloggers
The case of al-Mallohi is not the first of its kind. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Syrians have been arrested due to their blogging, political activism or expressing their views. Many of whom were sentenced to long prison terms.[18] [19]Reporters without borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
reported that a number of at least four influential Syrian internet activists have been behind bars in the year of 2009, making Syria classified among more than 12 countries as "enemies of the Internet"[16] [5] by the report. Syrian authorities also banned an estimated two hundred website, including Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and even Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
[5][19], but the Syrians citizens and human rights activists, and most users have found ways to get around the bans.[5]
Blogs of Tal al-Mallohi
Tal al-Mallohi published her writings in three blogs, one of which is listed under the name " My Blog" and is most likely that she has been arrested due to an article or articles published on this blog specifically. Publications on "My blog" consisted of poems and articles in support of the Palestinian cause and critical of the Union for the MediterraneanUnion for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership that encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans...
,which is a diplomatic union pushed by France, between Arab and European states as well as Israel[7] [18] [19]. On " My Blog" a picture of Gandhi is published with "will always remain an example" written above it. Many pictures of Sheikh Raed Salah, and the sons of Mahmoud al-Zahar, "martyrs" and pictures of Tayseer Erdogan, with the words Thank Venezuela. And an image of George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's face on the body of Hitler. The Background image says "No to torture."
Tal's last post was on September 6 of 2009 which was a poem entitled "Jerusalem, Our Lady of the cities"[20].
The second is the blog titled "Letters" (written by Tal "English Latters") and the first "message" posted on this blog was entitled "The First message to man in this world" dated January 19, 2009
Tal's third blog is titled "The destroyed Palestinian villages" and the latest blog entries from the village where the monastery of St dated May 3, 2009[22].
See also
- Human Rights in SyriaHuman rights in SyriaHuman rights in Syria have been described as "poor". Since 1963, emergency rule has remained in effect which gives security forces sweeping powers of arrest and detention....
- Emergency Law
External links
- Syria accuses teenage blogger of spying for a foreign power
- Syria accuses teenage blogger of spying
- Syrian teen-aged girl Tal al-Mallohi 'accused of spying'
- Syria Accuses Teen Blogger of Spying
- Mother of Syrian blogger seeks president's help
- Mudawanati - Tal Mallohi's blog
- Latters - Tal Mallohi's blog
- Palestine Villages - Tal Mallohi's blog
- Free Tal NOW! - A blog dedicated to latest information and news on Tal Mallohi case.
- Tal Mallohi's mother letter to the Syrian president Bashar Assed appealing for her daughter's release.
- Statement Requesting for Immediate Release of Tal Mallohi 13-9-2010
- Syrian Human Rights Committee: Press release about the detention of Tal Mallohi
- Syrian Human Rights Committee: Arab Blggers Union about Tal Mallohi detention on the ground of her blogging articles
- Reporters Without Borders: Young student held incommunicado for past nine month over blog entries
- Tal al-Mallohi's Page on Facebook