Declaration by The Syrian Coalition on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2013.

Media Statement

Syrian Coalition Media Office

Istanbul, Turkey

May 4, 2013

The Syrian Coalition owes a debt to all courageous journalists who risk their lives to report from troubled parts of the world.

In Syria, more than 36 journalists and 58 citizen journalists have been systematically targeted and killed at the hands of Assad’s regime during the past two years. Freedom of expression in Syria has been heavily restricted in law and practice for decades. Journalists and activists have long been threatened, intimidated, arrested, abducted, and even killed in Syria.

Such practices against civilians, including journalists, are completely unacceptable. These practices amount to war crimes and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

On the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, an occasion well remembered by those who seek freedom, the Syrian Coalition calls upon the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The International Criminal Court must investigate the torture and murder of journalists in Syria, and must bring the Assad regime to justice for killing Syrian, as well as foreign journalists and reporters.

The Syrian Coalition also calls on the Security Council to adopt all legally binding measures to ensure that civilian and foreign journalists are protected from torture and other ill treatments.

We ask for mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our prisoners.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.