News Release

------------

**May 17, 2013 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada is horrified by the ongoing arbitrary detention of Syrian democracy activists for simply exercising their legitimate right to freedom of expression.

“The struggle of Mazen Darwish and his colleagues is emblematic of the struggle of the Syrian people, whose voices cannot be silenced by this tyrannical regime.

“Canada values democracy and freedom of expression. We continue to denounce the despicable regime of Bashar al-Assad, with its long history of attempting to terrorize its detractors.

“Canada stands with the people of Syria, including Mazen Darwish and all the brave Syrians who choose to speak out in the face of oppression, in their fight for their freedom.”