Rami Abdulrahman's network of sources send their observations to him in England about latest Syrian atrocities. Cited by virtually every major news outlet since the revolt against Assad began in March, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been a primary source of news on the events in Syria, because most foreign media have been banned from reporting in Syria.After three short spells in prison in Syria for pro-democracy activism, Abdulrahman came to Britain in 2000 fearing a longer, fourth jail term. He said, "I came to Britain the day Hafez Assad died, and I'll return when Bashar Assad goes."
His sources, some cultivated over many years, risk their lives to investigate incidents and give him with information. Six have already been killed, Abdulrahman said, yet the observatory's network of contacts has grown to more than 200 people from 54 since the uprising began, he said.
Abdulrahman, a Sunni Muslim, makes efforts to ensure his reports are regarded as free from bias. He said that he accepts no funding and runs the observatory on a voluntary basis.
"I have Alawites phoning and complaining, Sunnis phoning and complaining. I'm between two fires. But it shows I'm being neutral if both sides complain," he added.