Media Directorate in North and East Syria condemns arrest of journalist Hasan Zaza in Daramsuq

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Media Directorate in North and East Syria has condemned the arrest of journalist and media activist Hasan Zaza in Daramsuq (Damascus) by Syrian government’s security forces. 

In a strongly worded statement, the Media Directorate in North and East Syria denounces Zaza’s arrest, one without any legal warrant, calling it a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and international laws that safeguard press freedom and media work. 

The statement emphasizes that Zaza, known for his activism in defending media freedom and truth-telling, is detained in clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly Article 19, which guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and share information. 

The Directorate describes his arrest as a direct attack on journalistic freedoms, demands Zaza’s immediate release, and calls on international organizations concerned with press freedom and human rights, as well as all relevant rights groups, to intervene urgently and pressure the Syrian government to halt such practices. It also reaffirms its commitment to defending press freedom and the public’s right to have access to information, stressing that such oppressive measures will not deter them from continuing their independent and free media work.