now offer 3G mobile broadband in four major cities, as well as EDGE and GPRS connectivity (WAP) across the country. 17 However, 3G is prohibitively expensive for most
Syrians at nearly USD 50 per month.
The Internet was introduced to the general public in Syria in 2000 as part of the
modernization reforms of President al-Assad. In the subsequent seven years, Internet
use soared by 4,900 percent, far exceeding the global growth rate of 249 percent. The
vast majority of Syrian users get online service at Syria’s ubiquitous Internet cafe ´s and
from houses using dial-up connections over landlines. 18 Syrian users continue to access
blocked Web sites using proxies and circumvention tools, and prefer to use Internet
cafe ´s to browse banned content because they believe the government can monitor
Web surfing through home Internet connections. 19
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
The constitution of Syria provides for freedom of speech and of the press, but the
Syrian government restricts press freedom with repressive laws such as the Emergency
Law, which was put in place in December 1962 and broadly mandates the censorship
of various forms of communication; the 2001 Press Law which sets out sweeping controls over publications printed in Syria; articles 286 and 287 of the penal code, which
criminalize spreading news abroad; and Decree No. 6 of 1965, which criminalizes
‘‘publishing news aimed at shaking the people’s confidence in the revolution.’’ 20
The Syrian authorities extended their censorship of Internet activities and monitoring of Internet users in March 2008 by ordering Internet cafe ´ users to provide users’
names, identification cards, and times they use their services. 21 The head of the Syrian
Media Center told Reuters, ‘‘These steps are designed to terrorize Internet users and
spread fear and self-censorship in violation of the right to privacy and free expression.’’ 22 Government officials said these measures were necessary to guard against
what they described as attempts to spread sectarian divisions and ‘‘penetration by
Israel.’’ 23
In addition, an increasing number of Syrians have faced trial or been jailed for their
online writings, and the Syrian authorities continue judicial persecution of cyber dissidents. For example, Habib Saleh was tried in December 2008 for publishing articles
calling for democracy in Syria on the Web site Elaph.com, which is censored in Syria,
and was given a three-year prison sentence in March 2009. Saleh was convicted under
article 285 of the criminal code for ‘‘weakening national sentiment’’ (a charge that is
applicable only in wartime, said his lawyer). 24 Similarly, blogger Tariq Biasi received
a three-year sentence for ‘‘weakening national sentiment’’ as well as ‘‘publishing false
information’’ on a blog. 25
In addition, owners of opposition Web sites face harassment by the authorities. For
example, lawyer and Web site editor Abdallah Souleiman Ali was detained for 12 days
Syria
573
Syrians at nearly USD 50 per month.
The Internet was introduced to the general public in Syria in 2000 as part of the
modernization reforms of President al-Assad. In the subsequent seven years, Internet
use soared by 4,900 percent, far exceeding the global growth rate of 249 percent. The
vast majority of Syrian users get online service at Syria’s ubiquitous Internet cafe ´s and
from houses using dial-up connections over landlines. 18 Syrian users continue to access
blocked Web sites using proxies and circumvention tools, and prefer to use Internet
cafe ´s to browse banned content because they believe the government can monitor
Web surfing through home Internet connections. 19
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
The constitution of Syria provides for freedom of speech and of the press, but the
Syrian government restricts press freedom with repressive laws such as the Emergency
Law, which was put in place in December 1962 and broadly mandates the censorship
of various forms of communication; the 2001 Press Law which sets out sweeping controls over publications printed in Syria; articles 286 and 287 of the penal code, which
criminalize spreading news abroad; and Decree No. 6 of 1965, which criminalizes
‘‘publishing news aimed at shaking the people’s confidence in the revolution.’’ 20
The Syrian authorities extended their censorship of Internet activities and monitoring of Internet users in March 2008 by ordering Internet cafe ´ users to provide users’
names, identification cards, and times they use their services. 21 The head of the Syrian
Media Center told Reuters, ‘‘These steps are designed to terrorize Internet users and
spread fear and self-censorship in violation of the right to privacy and free expression.’’ 22 Government officials said these measures were necessary to guard against
what they described as attempts to spread sectarian divisions and ‘‘penetration by
Israel.’’ 23
In addition, an increasing number of Syrians have faced trial or been jailed for their
online writings, and the Syrian authorities continue judicial persecution of cyber dissidents. For example, Habib Saleh was tried in December 2008 for publishing articles
calling for democracy in Syria on the Web site Elaph.com, which is censored in Syria,
and was given a three-year prison sentence in March 2009. Saleh was convicted under
article 285 of the criminal code for ‘‘weakening national sentiment’’ (a charge that is
applicable only in wartime, said his lawyer). 24 Similarly, blogger Tariq Biasi received
a three-year sentence for ‘‘weakening national sentiment’’ as well as ‘‘publishing false
information’’ on a blog. 25
In addition, owners of opposition Web sites face harassment by the authorities. For
example, lawyer and Web site editor Abdallah Souleiman Ali was detained for 12 days
Syria
573