Nizar Nayouf, a freelance journalist and human rights activist, was awarded the 2000 Golden Pen of Freedom in recognition of his outstanding services to the cause of press freedom in Syria.

Nayouf was sentenced to ten years in prison in 1992 for his membership in the banned Committee for the Defence of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights (which he co-founded) and the distribution of a leaflet calling for human rights reforms in Syria.

He was released from prison on 7 May 2001 after nine years in detention. His release, granted by President Bashar-al-Assad, coincided with the Pope’s visit to Syria. The journalist was initially held under house arrest, but following international pressure was allowed to travel to France for medical treatment in July of that year. He was granted political asylum in 2002.

While in prison, Nayouf was severely tortured, leaving him partially paralysed and nearly blind. He also suffered from an array of diseases - lymphatic cancer, liver disease, dermatitis and ulcers. He is still being treated for a cancer developed in prison.

His remaining family in Syria continues to be harassed.

UPDATE:

Nayouf continues to campaign for the release of political prisoners and to highlight abuses against the freedom of expression in the Arabic World, but particularly in Syria.

He is active in the Syrian Democratic Coalition, a group of about 14 Syrian opposition movements aiming for the establishment of a democratic regime in Syria. Nayouf has also published a number of works of poetry.