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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49U0BP20081031
U.S. Condemns Jailing of Syrian Dissidents
[Reuters] JoAnne Allen - The U.S. on Thursday condemned the sentencing of 12 leading Syrian dissidents sent to jail for advocating for freedom of expression and a democratic constitution in Syria. "The United States condemns the sentencing of 12 members of the Damascus Declaration National Council to two and a half years in prison," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement. "This judgment once again underscores the Syrian regime's contempt for the fundamental rights and freedoms of their people," Perino said. "The Syrian regime cannot expect to be treated as a respected member of the international community when it engages in such systematic repression of its own citizens." The U.S. called for the immediate release of the 12 Damascus Declaration members, as well as all other political prisoners in Syria.