Concern over Syrian activist

Concerns are growing over the safety of Ali Mahmoud Othman, a Syrian activist and head of the media centre in Homs.  There are reports that he has been captured and some reports suggest that he may have been tortured although there is no confirmation of this.

Torture is known to be a tool that is often used by the Assad regime and it isn't just reserved for adults.  There are many reports and documented cases from human rights groups which state that torture has been used against children and babies.

Others are said to have been detained at the same time as Othman and there is no word on their safety or exact whereabouts yet.

April will mark the 13th month of the uprising and still there seems no end in sight.  Syria did recently accept a peace plan put on the table by Kofi Annan but there is no sign yet that the plan has been implemented so the deaths, which now stand at 10,000,  and human rights abuses continue.

In a statement Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

"I am very concerned by reports that Ali Mahmoud Othman, the head of the Media Centre in Homs where Marie Colvin, Paul Conroy and other journalists were based, has been captured by the Syrian regime.  There are also reports that some of Othman's colleagues have also been detained."

"There are reports that Mr Othman has already been tortured and maltreated."

"I call on the Syrian authorities to release Mr Othman and other political prisoners immediately. The Syrian regime will be held responsible for Mr Othman's safety and his treatment and I will raise his case in Istanbul at the Friends of Syria meeting tomorrow."

"The Syrian regime must immediately implement the six-point plan of UN and Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan, including a cessation of all hostilities, a genuine Syrian-led political transition, provision of humanitarian assistance and freedom of access for the media, and the release of political prisoners."

Ban Ki-moon repeats calls for Assad to stand down

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has again called on President Assad to stop the killing in Syria.

The uprising began in March 2011 and there are no signs of it abating. Military action by the West has been ruled out and, as yet, there is no end to the killing of protesters that continues in Syria.

Since March 2011, more than 6000 men, women and children have been killed as the uprising goes on and recent reports from credible sources say that children and babies are being tortured. Now, calls are increasing for President Assad to stand down, among those calling for Assad to go is US President Barack Obama, calls which are likely to be unanswered as Assad refuses to bow to the will of the countries people.

Speaking at a conference in Lebanon today, Ban Ki-moon said:

"I say again to President Assad of Syria: Stop the violence. Stop killing your own people. The path of repression is a dead end."

"The lessons of the past year are eloquent and clear:

The winds of change will not cease to blow. The flame ignited in Tunisia will not be dimmed."

"Let us remember, as well: none of these great changes began with a call for a regime change."

"First and foremost, people wanted dignity."

During the speech, Ban Ki-moon also spoke of the Arab Spring and of the support for countries in the Middle East as they make the transition to democracy.