Sami Ma’touq killed by Syrian Intelligence elements

Sami Ma’touq killed by Syrian Intelligence elements

 


The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has condemned the killing of the Human Rights activist Sami Ma’touq and his friend by the Syrian intelligence elements on Tuesday 14/10/2008 whilst they were in front of his home in al-Mushrifah Village on the Syrian-Lebanese borders.


An SHRC spokesman commented, “We offer our condolences to the family of our colleague Sami Ma’touq and the Syrian people upon the occasion of his murder, for which there is no justification at all. We also note that the intelligence elements and the Syrian security opens fire arbitrarily at every opportunity, degrading the souls of citizens and humans, even when there is no reason to do so. They are not held accountable for this, and in fact, the emergency laws encourage them to open fire on citizens and use violence and torture against them. The recently issued presidential decree No. 69 issued lately on (September 2008) is a proof of this.”


Whilst the spokesman confirmed that, “The practices of the apparatuses of the Syrian Regime which are so degrading to the human life are continuous and haven’t changed towards the better for tens of years”, he requested for “more control and limitation with the use of guns, which should be used only as a last resort” as well as to “immediately start an investigation into the killing of Sami Ma’touq and his friend by the Syrian security, and punish those responsible of this crime before a neutral civil court.”


The media spokesman also directed his comments towards the Human Rights community, both local and international, asking them to condemn this crime and request the Syrian Authorities to investigate and send the perpetrators to court, as well as to change the practices of the Syrian Authorities in respecting the constitution and ensuring the right to life for all its citizens in Syria, and elsewhere in which they are exposed to great danger.


Syrian Human Rights Committee