POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FREEDOM IN SYRIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000888 SIPDIS SIPDIS PARIS FOR JORDAN; LONDON FOR TSOU E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SY SUBJECT: POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FREEDOM IN SYRIA REF: A. DAMASCUS 846 ¶B. DAMASCUS 437 Classified By: CDA Michael Corbin, for reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (U) This is an action response to STATE 088465 ¶2. (C) Post meets with human rights and civil society activists as well as key opposition figures on a regular basis (ref A). As a result, Post is able to monitor their activities closely and routinely. We also continue to demonstrate solidarity with human rights activists who are being prosecuted by attending their trials and suggesting language to Washington for public statements when developments warrant (ref B). Post continues to look for new ways in a very restrictive environment to fund the activities of human rights defenders and victims of SARG prosecution. We advocate working closely with European partners and other potential donors to coordinate assistance to human rights defenders in Syria. CORBIN