Mazen Darwish established the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) in Damascus in 2004 at a time when there was little public space for activism and civil society work. To ensure that this initiative would be heard in the world of international human rights, Darwish registered the organization in France.
2004 - 2011
The first program was The Journalist House, launched together with a confidential working program on ‘Supporting opinion and political detainees and their families’. The program was led by a group of volunteer lawyers. The SCM team focused on reporting on freedoms, including but not limited to freedom of expression. It also has produced
Read more2011 - 2016
The year 2011 represented a new phase in SCM’s work, with greater emphasis on documenting human rights violations and more active support for the media and freedom of speech activism. Despite the change in orientation, the year ended with SCM being granted Special Consultative Status
Read more2016 - 2020
In 2016 SCM maintained, i.e. did not reduce the scope of its work. The organization was recognized for its years spent fighting for freedom and was rapidly acknowledged as one of the most active Syrian human rights NGOs. It became an active member of several groups, including the Syrian Civil Society Support Room, the Syrian Media Support Group, and the Transitional Justice Coordination Group. Further networking and membership of highly active human rights and media groups followed. SCM also joined GFMD, IFEX, EuroMed Rights and IPI.
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