President Bashar al‑Assad’s regime is now clinging to power only by violence, torture, intimidation and persecution. These methods include the arrest and enforced disappearance of important opposition activists. Khalil Maatouk is one; his fellow human rights activist Mazen Darwish is another.

A humanitarian situation badly affected by the violence is about to be compounded by the coming winter weather. This is a cause of great concern!

I call on the Syrian Government to release all political prisoners without delay. There has to be an immediate end to torture, repression and the bombardment of entire neighbourhoods. The duty of the state is to protect its citizens, not repress them, kill them, or leave them without protection from the elements.