Aref Dalila
Encyclopedia
Professor Aref Dalila (born 1943) is a Syrian economics professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Damascus University. He was arrested for his political activity during the Damascus Spring
period.
, Dalila holds a doctorate in economics from Moscow University. He worked as an economy expert for the Development Fund of Kuwait
in the 1980s. He returned to Syria to serve as dean of the economics at Damascus University until he was banned from teaching in 1998, allegedly due to his criticism of the regime's economic policies.
He was arrested in Damascus on 9 September 2001, reportedly following a lecture in which he called for democracy and transparency. He was adopted by Amnesty International
as a ‘prisoner of conscience’. He served a 10-year prison sentence before being released by a special presidential order in August 2008.
The detention was believed to be due to his role in the so-called "Damascus Spring
", the title used for the period of political activism that followed following the death of former president Hafez Assad in June 2000 and what seemed like an inheritance of the presidency by his son, incumbent president Bashar Assad. "Damascus Spring" was powered by several Syrian intellectuals and members of the opposition. After a few months, Syrian authorities started a campaign against the civil society activists arresting tens of them. Most of whom were released in the following years, although many more were taken in.
Dalila gave his infamous last lecture on Syria's economy at the Atasi Forum in Damascus on 2 September 2001. He was arrested a week later.
that his views had not changed and he would continue to voice them. Ammar Qorabi of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria said that "Aref Dalila was freed in line with a presidential pardon after having spent seven years in jail."
Damascus Spring
The Damascus Spring was a period of intense political and social debate in Syria which started after the death of President Hafiz al-Asad in June 2000 and continued to some degree until autumn 2001, when most of the activities associated with it were suppressed by the government.- Background...
period.
Life
Born in LatakiaLatakia
Latakia, or Latakiyah , is the principal port city of Syria, as well as the capital of the Latakia Governorate. In addition to serving as a port, the city is a manufacturing center for surrounding agricultural towns and villages...
, Dalila holds a doctorate in economics from Moscow University. He worked as an economy expert for the Development Fund of Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in the 1980s. He returned to Syria to serve as dean of the economics at Damascus University until he was banned from teaching in 1998, allegedly due to his criticism of the regime's economic policies.
He was arrested in Damascus on 9 September 2001, reportedly following a lecture in which he called for democracy and transparency. He was adopted by 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...
as a ‘prisoner of conscience’. He served a 10-year prison sentence before being released by a special presidential order in August 2008.
The detention was believed to be due to his role in the so-called "Damascus Spring
Damascus Spring
The Damascus Spring was a period of intense political and social debate in Syria which started after the death of President Hafiz al-Asad in June 2000 and continued to some degree until autumn 2001, when most of the activities associated with it were suppressed by the government.- Background...
", the title used for the period of political activism that followed following the death of former president Hafez Assad in June 2000 and what seemed like an inheritance of the presidency by his son, incumbent president Bashar Assad. "Damascus Spring" was powered by several Syrian intellectuals and members of the opposition. After a few months, Syrian authorities started a campaign against the civil society activists arresting tens of them. Most of whom were released in the following years, although many more were taken in.
Dalila gave his infamous last lecture on Syria's economy at the Atasi Forum in Damascus on 2 September 2001. He was arrested a week later.
Health Concerns
Dalila was reported to be in poor health, suffering from diabetes and heart disease. This condition was further exacerbated by the poor living standards within the prison as well as exposure to harsh treatment. He started a hunger strike on 12 July 2005 in protest against his solitary confinement and ill-treatment. He underwent a heart surgery.Release from Prison
Dalila was released from prison on August 7, 2008. Soon after his release he told the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
that his views had not changed and he would continue to voice them. Ammar Qorabi of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria said that "Aref Dalila was freed in line with a presidential pardon after having spent seven years in jail."