Syria: Medical Concern: Riad Seif (m)

Index Number: MDE 24/042/2007
Date Published: 31 August 2007
Categories: Middle East And North Africa, Syria

The Syrian authorities have refused to allow former risoner of conscience Riad Seif to leave the country for medical treatment. He has prostate cancer, which has advanced to a stage where it is liable to start spreading to other parts of his body without specialist treatment, which is only available outside Syria. Amnesty International considers Riad Seif's travel prohibition a form of punishment based solely on his non-violent exercise of his right to freedom of expression.