BEIRUT: Arab League observers should visit jailed bloggers and journalists – and demand their release, Journalists Without Borders said Friday.

“We call on the Arab League observers to visit them and demand their release, along with the release of all the detainees in Syria,” the Paris-based media freedom NGO said in a statement.

“It is also important for the observers to interview those who have been freed after months in detention or else this mission will be just a sham.”

RSF noted that it was relieved to learn that Jehad Jamal, who has blogged under the name Milan and was arrested in October, was released Thursday evening. It was his third detention since the uprising began in March.

Still, the group noted that Jamal’s release should not distract from the fact that more than 15 journalists and bloggers remain behind bars, while many more remain unaccounted for.

Since the outbreak of Syria’s popular uprising, which began March 15, the United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people, mainly civilians, have been killed. The Syrian government claims that the ongoing violence is due to armed gangs.