U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski met in Turkey with members of Syria's civil society and opposition from Wednesday to Saturday to express the support of the U.S. government for their work, the State Department announced on Monday night.
"Every day in Syria, civil society leaders are delivering essential services, coordinating humanitarian relief and working to negotiate truces, rescuing victims of violence, documenting abuses, countering extremism and laying the groundwork for a political transition," the announcement said.
Malinowski "stressed that civil society leaders are essential in any negotiations about the future of Syria," it said.
Activists recounted the threats they face from the Assad regime and from extremist groups, the statement said.
Malinowski "underscored U.S. support for Syrian human rights defenders and media activists and reiterated deep concern for the thousands of political prisoners who must be released, including Mazen Darwish and Razan Zeitouneh," it said.
He also reiterated that "the Syrian people deserve justice, relief from the regime's barrel bombs and other horrific abuses, and the ability to freely choose their government," it said.
He and activists agreed that the rise of ISIL is fundamentally linked to the Assad regime's suppression of democratic opposition forces and atrocities against civilians, the statement said. "All groups condemned the grotesque murders committed by both the Assad regime and ISIL," it said.
"The United States stands with Syria's brave activists who, despite grave threats, continue their efforts to achieve fundamental human rights for all Syrians," it said.