FCO call for release of Haitham Maleh

19 Oct 2009

An FCO spokesperson has expressed regret at the arrest of the prominent Syrian human rights defender Haitham Maleh and has called on Syrian authorities to release him.

An FCO spokesperson has expressed regret at the arrest of the prominent Syrian human rights defender Haitham Maleh and has called on Syrian authorities to release him. They said:

'We regret the detention by the Syrian security services of Haitham Maleh, the prominent human rights defender and lawyer, on Wednesday. We urge the Syrian authorities to release him, or to immediately notify his family and lawyer of his whereabouts, to allow them access and to follow due process.

We call on the Syrian Government to fulfil all of its human rights obligations, and allow its citizens to practice the right to freedom of expression and association without fear of sanction.'