In this context, it should be noted that human rights defenders and lawyers have been particularly targeted during the crackdown on civilians participating in the rising opposition movement. Indeed, the following individuals have been detained solely as a result of their exercise of their right to freedom of expression:

Mr Muhammad Ibrahim Issa, a 31-years-old lawyer, was arrested on 5 March 2011 in the village of Al Dhamir near Damascus after having seemingly called on people to join the protestation movement by way of social networking websites such as Facebook. His family has no news of his fate and whereabouts since his arrest.

Mr Sulayman Nahili and Mr Nidal Al-Shaykh Hammoud are both lawyers and were arrested on Friday, 25 March 2011, after joining a peaceful demonstration in the city of Homs in support of the residents of Deraa.