On September 22, Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, issued Legislative Decree No. 56.  The decree pardoned criminals who committed minor offenses, but refrained from granted “general amnesty” to political prisoners.  The decree also pardoned prisoners over the age of 70 years and those inflicted with incurable diseases.

He came to power in March, 2000, when his father died.  During the first few years of his term, al-Assad released thousands of political prisoners.  Observers had hoped that this would be the first step in Syria moving to a more open, less oppressive country.  However, over the past year, Syria has been reverting back to repressing individual rights and Damascus has arrested several human rights advocates and political dissidents.

For more information, please see:
New York Times- Syrian pardon omits dissidents– 24 September 2007

Syrian Arab News Agency- President al-Assad issues Legislative Decree No.56 Granting a General Amnesty for the Crimes Committed Before 17.07.2007– 22 September 2007