Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network Demands Release of Detained Reporter Hassan Zaza

June 27, 2025 – Syria – 

Journalist Hassan (Hesen) Zaza, a prominent media figure in Syria, was detained on June 27, 2025, by security forces affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government. A joint report from the Free Press Union (YRA) and ANF News confirms that Zaza was forcibly taken from his home, with his current whereabouts and the reasons for his detention remaining undisclosed.

Zaza, a member of the YRA General Council and Syria’s representative to the International Federation of Arab Journalists, suffered a pre-dawn raid in the Rukn al-Din district of Damascus. The YRA condemned the action as a blatant violation of press freedom and journalists’ rights, accusing authorities of arbitrary tactics with no legal grounds. Further humanitarian concern was raised: Zaza reportedly suffers from chronic illnesses that require ongoing medical care—a situation now jeopardized due to his indefinite detention.

In response, the YRA, supported by the Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network (SKJN), has demanded Zaza’s immediate, unconditional release and full disclosure of his location and the motives behind his arrest. They have also appealed to international press organizations and human rights bodies to intervene urgently to safeguard Zaza’s welfare and protect freedom of expression in Syria.

The SKJN emphasized that such incidents flagrantly violate both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—foundational instruments safeguarding journalistic safety and independence.

This detention joins a troubling pattern of intimidation and suppression against journalists in Syria, highlighting the precarious climate for media professionals in regions where government forces exert heavy-handed control. Advocacy groups warn that without external pressure, these violations will likely escalate, further endangering both press freedom and the safety of journalists reporting on critical conflicts and human rights abuses.

Reference – 

https://hawarnews.com/en/yra-calls-for-release-of-detained-journalist-hassan-zaza

https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Syrian-Kurdish-Network-presses-for-journalist-s-release

https://anfenglish.com/news/journalist-hesen-zaza-detained-by-government-forces-in-syria-80014