NORTH AND EAST SYRIA: Syriac Progressive Youth holds protest on eighth anniversary of arrest of Syriac leader Said Malke
ZALIN (QAMISHLI), Syria – The Syriac Progressive Youth Union in Zalin organized a protest to mark the 8th anniversary of the arrest of Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria leader Said Malke by the Syrian Ba’ath regime. Said Malke was arrested 8 years ago on August 12 at Zalin (Qamishli) airport where he intended to board the plane to the city of Homs to organize the Syriac people there.
Many Suryoye (Arameans-Chaldeans-Assyrians), members of the Bethnahrin National Council, and various political parties and organizations from other components of North and East Syria participated in the protest.
Co-chairs of the Progressive Youth Union Suphi Malke and Mariana Issa gave speeches on the role Said Malke played in establishing several Syriac political and cultural organizations in Syria and his struggle and leadership to obtain constitutional rights for the Syriac people in Syria. Co-chair Mariana Issa stated in here speech that the arbitrary arrest of Said Malke is in violation of human rights and international laws.
In their statement, the Co-Chairs of the Progressive Syriac Youth Union called on the Syrian Ba’ath regime to reveal the fate of Said Malke, to implement UN resolutions, and support peace-building efforts.
The Co-Chairs emphasized the continued struggle for freedom for the Suryoye (Syriacs) and their constitutional rights in Syria.