On 31 October 2025, artist Raneem Ma’touq, daughter of prominent Syrian human rights lawyer Khalil Ma’touq, announced her father’s death on her Facebook page: “I, his daughter, on behalf of my mother and brother, officially announce the death of Khalil Ma’touq – a man who mastered laughter in all circumstances, perhaps even in his final moments before his execution.”

She added, “With this, we conclude a life journey worthy only of the crown of martyrdom – a martyr for truth and the word, a martyr for justice and humanity. Here ends Khalil Ma’touq’s story, and our story begins with the light, determination, and love of life he left behind.”

She concluded the announcement, which included a photo of her father with her artwork and costumes, by saying: “The date of the funeral in Syria and Germany – Leipzig – will be announced soon, so we may bid him farewell in peace and light candles for his soul.”

The previous Syrian government had arrested Raneem Ma’touq on 17 February 2014, after approximately 30 security personnel raided her home in the Sahnaya neighbourhood on the outskirts of Damascus. She endured extremely harsh prison conditions and was not released until four months later, on 11 June 2014. She and her family left the country shortly afterward.

On 02 October 2012, Khalil Ma’touq and his assistant, Mohammed Thatha (also reported a Mohammed Zaza), were arrested while travelling from Ma’touq’s home in Sahnaya to his office in Damascus. Reliable local sources confirmed at the time that they were arrested at a security checkpoint, solely based on their legitimate and peaceful human rights work.

Khalil Ma’touq was the director of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research and had defended peaceful activists for over 20 years. He was banned from travelling between 2005 and 2011 for his continued advocacy for prisoners of conscience in Syria. He was a prominent voice in calling for the protection of citizens’ civil and human rights.

Despite repeated requests for information submitted to the Damascus Public Prosecutor’s Office between 2012 and 2013 by family members and colleagues during the previous regime, which was notorious for its gross human rights violations, no accurate information about his fate was ever available.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) expresses its deep sorrow at the announcement of the death of prominent human rights lawyer Khalil Ma’touq and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family. The current Syrian government bears full responsibility for finding out the whole truth about what happened to him after his arrest and enforced disappearance, and it must also uncover the identity of the perpetrators as quickly as possible and bring them to justice.