Catherine Ashton condemns the arrest of Mazen Darwish, the head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 17 February 2012

A 61/12

Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine

Ashton condemning the arrest of Mazen Darwish,

the head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and

Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"The High Representative deplores the arrest on Thursday by Syrian security forces of human

rights defender Mazen Darwish, the head of the Damascus-based 'Syrian Centre for Media and

Freedom of Expression', as well as at least 12 other human rights defenders, including blogger

Razan Gazzawi, and the wife of Mazen Darwish. The EU stresses the need to respect the freedom of

expression and the freedom of human rights defenders to carry out their work, in line with Syria's

international obligations.

The High Representative expresses her concern for the physical safety of Mr. Darwish and others

arrested, and demands information about their whereabouts and access for their families. She calls

on the Syrian authorities to immediately release Mr Darwish and all those human rights defenders

arrested on Thursday, and to release all political prisoners in accordance with Syria's commitments

to the Arab League to end violence.

The High Representative strongly condemns the level of violence in recent weeks committed against

civilians by the indiscriminate bombardment of residential districts in Homs, Zabadai, Hama and

Deraa. The violence has reached unspeakable levels of criminality and destruction."

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P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - [email protected]

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected]

Sebastien Brabant +32 498 986 433 - [email protected]

[email protected]

www.eeas.europa.eu

EN

بيان المتحدث باسم الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يدين اعتقال مازن درويش، رئيس المركز السوري للإعلام وحرية التعبير.