11 Facts About Haitham al-Maleh

Haitham al-Maleh is a Syrian human rights activist and former judge.

Haitham al-Maleh was a member of the Syrian National Council then of the Syrian National Coalition.

Haitham al-Maleh was first arrested in 1951 at the age of twenty when he called for an independent judiciary; he was imprisoned for three weeks.

Haitham al-Maleh returned to the practice of law after his dismissal.

Haitham al-Maleh went on hunger strikes at least twice during his detention.

Haitham al-Maleh has been active in Amnesty International since 1989.

Haitham al-Maleh has received awards for his defence of human rights in Syria, including the Dutch Human Rights Prize awarded to him in 2006.

Haitham al-Maleh was referred to the Damascus military court and tried on charges of spreading false and misleading information that would "affect the morale of the nation", and sentenced to three years prison.

Haitham al-Maleh was released on 8 March 2011 after a presidential amnesty on the anniversary of the arrival of the Ba'ath party's ascension to power, which was extended only to prisoners over 70 years old.

Haitham al-Maleh noted that political prisoners are those who voice their opinions, and are not advocates of violence.

In February 2014, Haitham al-Maleh was appointed by the Syrian National Coalition as Syria's envoy to the Arab League.