NGO Demands Legal Access, Release of Maid Detained in Syria

A migrant rights organisation has petitioned Syrian authorities to grant legal access, halt prosecution, and secure the release and repatriation of a Ugandan housemaid detained over her employer’s death, citing alleged violations of international labour standards, due process, and fair trial guarantees.

Kyeyo Initiative Uganda has formally written to Syrian authorities demanding immediate legal representation, release, and repatriation of Ugandan migrant worker Vicky Ajok, who is currently detained in Syria over allegations connected to the death of her employer.

In a February 3, 2026 letter addressed to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, and the Supreme Judicial Council, the organisation argues that Ajok’s arrest and detention breach international labour and human rights protections to which Syria is bound as a member of the United Nations.

“Whereas Syria is a member of the United Nations since 1945, it should follow the United Nations labour standards, preserve labour laws and rights,” wrote Olooka Keneth, the Executive Director of Kyeyo Initiative Uganda.

According to the organisation, Ajok was trafficked into Syria and unlawfully confined by her former employer, the late Huda Shaarawi.

Kyeyo Initiative claims that Ajok was arrested on January 29, 2026, in connection with Shaarawi’s death, interrogated, and charged without access to legal counsel.

“Ms Vicky Ajok was arrested for alleged murder of her boss, quickly interrogated and charged after a probably coerced confession, without any evidence of the allegations against her and without any legal representation,” the letter states.

The NGO further contends that the legal process violated provisions of Syrian law, arguing that Ajok’s prosecution without legal counsel contravenes Article 51 of the 2012 Syrian Constitution, which guarantees the right to defence and a fair trial.

“Her trial without any legal representation was and is still against Article 51 of the 2012 Syrian Constitution which guarantees the right to defence and to a fair trial,” the organisation said.

Kyeyo Initiative also questioned the basis of the allegations against Ajok, arguing that her employment relationship with the deceased does not, in itself, establish criminal responsibility.

“Ms. Ajok Vicky being the house helper of the late Ms. Huda Shaarawi does not presuppose that she contributed to the death,” Olooka wrote.

The organisation has demanded that Syrian authorities grant its legal team access to Ajok, disclose postmortem results of the deceased employer, halt further criminal allegations, and “immediately and unconditionally release Ms Vicky Ajok from incarceration” before facilitating her return to Uganda.

The petition was also submitted through Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though by press time, Ugandan authorities had not issued an official response.

Ajok’s case has renewed concerns over the safety, legal protection, and treatment of Ugandan migrant workers abroad, particularly in destinations where access to consular support and legal safeguards remains limited.