North & East Syria Media Directorate Condemns Hasan Zaza’s Arrest in Damascus

June 28, 2025 – Syria – 

The Media Directorate of North and East Syria publicly denounced the detention of journalist and activist Hasan Zaza in Daramsuq (Damascus), characterizing it as a flagrant assault on press freedoms and fundamental human rights. Zaza, known for his active role in defending media independence and ensuring accurate reporting, was arrested by Syrian government security forces without any legal warrant—a move the Directorate called a direct violation of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, specifically Article 19, which defends freedom of expression.

The statement from the Directorate emphasized that such oppressive actions aim to undermine independent media, asserting that they will not deter efforts to uphold public access to truthful information. It demanded Zaza’s immediate release and urged international bodies concerned with journalistic and human rights to intervene swiftly and pressure the Syrian state to halt its repressive tactics.

This condemnation echoes a broader outcry from regional journalists’ organizations. The Free Media Union (YRA)—of which Zaza is a General Council member and representative to the International Federation of Arab Journalists—also called for his unconditional release, labeling the detention as a severe breach of press freedom. They demanded transparency from authorities regarding his location and the motives behind his arrest, warning that failure to act endangers all media personnel in the region.

Additionally, the Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network reiterated these concerns, highlighting Zaza’s chronic health conditions requiring ongoing medical care and denouncing the arrest as arbitrary. The network also demanded clarity on Zaza’s fate and urged the protection of journalists’ rights as guaranteed under the UDHR and ICCPR.

Zaza’s detention marks a worrying pattern in Syrian governance: arbitrary arrests of journalists, stringent restrictions on media operations, and opaque legal processes with limited accountability. Critics argue these measures form part of a broader crackdown targeting minority voices and independent reporting in regime-controlled territories, especially within the capital, Damascus.

As the situation escalates, local and international rights organizations stress the urgency for collective action, urging diplomatic channels and global media watchdogs to prioritize Zaza’s case, safeguard journalistic freedoms, and guarantee that government authorities in Syria are held accountable for violations against independent media workers.

Reference – 

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