Syria One year since enforced disappearance human rights lawyer

More than one year ago, Syrian lawyer Khalil Ma’touq was arrested on his way to work. Since then, no further information could be obtained regarding his situation and whereabouts.

Khalil Ma’touq is the executive director of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research and the head of the Syrian Center for the Defense of Detainees. He was working on the case of Mazen Darwish, the detained head of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), before he was arrested. Mr Ma’touq has defended numerous activists before and during the uprising in front of military, state security and civil courts.

Kahlil Ma’touq was arrested with his assistant by armed men on October 2, 2012 at a checkpoint in Sahnaya. Since then, no further information could be obtained regarding his situation and whereabouts. Neither of the men has been seen since, although even the extensive period of legal custody of 60 days elapsed. Despite repeated requests by his relatives and lawyers, the Syrian authorities have failed to provide information on Mr. Khalil Ma’touq’s fate and continue to deny he is in custody.

Lawyers for Lawyers fears for Mr. Ma’touq’s physical and psychological integrity and are all the more concerned since Mr. Ma’touq suffers from a serious medical condition, which requires specific and constant medical care. L4L called upon the Syrian authorities to release Kahlil Ma’touq, disclose Khalil Ma’touq’s whereabouts and give him the medical care he needs.