Catherine Ashton on the abduction of Syrian human rights activists

Brussels, 31 December 2013

131231/01

STATEMENT

by the Spokesperson of the High Representative on

the abduction of Syrian human rights activists

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:

"On the last day of the year, the High Representative reiterates her concern at the fate of the

human rights activist Razan Zeitouneh and her three associates - Wael Hamadeh, Nazem alHammadi, and Samira al-Khalil - who were abducted from the Damascus suburb of

Douma by unknown gunmen three weeks ago.

She shares the increasing dismay of the Syrian people and the international community at

what has happened to some of the most courageous and peaceful civil activists operating

inside Syria.

The High Representative is alarmed that there has been no progress in identifying the

perpetrators and the whereabouts of the abducted activists. Each day that passes increases

the risks to their well-being.

It is imperative that all those with access to the individuals responsible for ordering the

abduction help bring about the release of the activists through all possible means. "

___________________

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 584 9780- [email protected] @EUHighRepSpox

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

Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 - [email protected]

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بيان المتحدث باسم الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون في نهاية العام يجدد القلق على مصير الناشطة الحقوقية رزان زيتونة ورفاقها وائل حمادة وناظم الحمادي وسميرة الخليل.