This is how the son of Rif`at Al-Asad is introduced at a UK university

"Ribal [Al-Asad] is the leader of the main opposition party in Syria and also the direct cousin of the current leader. He has been exiled for openly opposing the dictatorial nature of the current regime. He is a human rights activist who continuously challenges the current regime, whilst also campaigning for democracy to be brought back to his homeland.  There is little doubt that if the Syrian uprisings end as they did in Egypt and Tunisia, the man we are currently welcoming to New Turn will most likely play a major role in the future of Syria." (thanks Karim)