On the recordJanuary 10, 2019
Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about Khalil Maatouk, who 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. On October 2 of 2012, 6 years ago, Mr. Maatouk was being driven to work by a friend, and that was the last time anyone was able to reach him. It is very possible that he was illegally detained at a security checkpoint by the Syrian Government. Even though a released detainee at the State Security detention facility in Damascus said he saw Khalil there, the Syrian general prosecutor has still denied his whereabouts. Six years is long enough, Madam Speaker. It is time for the Syrian Government to release Khalil. He has dedicated his life to the defense of human rights, and it is past time that he gets to return to his family. ____________________
