In view of the special review, Alkarama submitted a report "Crimes against Humanity in Syria - Systematic Torture to Quell Public Dissent ", and will also be briefing the Committee in person on recent developments, factual and legislative, in the country. Alkarama will also provide a live public webcast of the review in Arabic at www.treatybodywebcast.org.

The Committee against Torture is charged with monitoring implementation of the Convention against Torture and other and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Given the strong evidence of human rights violations, including claims of systematic and widespread torture, coming out of Syria, the Committee decided that the State party needed to be re-examined despite its review only two years ago. The review is scheduled for this coming Wednesday and Friday, and while it is unknown whether the Syrian authorities will provide a delegation for the review, the Committee has announced that the review will be open to the public.