By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
DERAA, Syria– In furtherance of the trend calling for freedom across the Middle East, protesters in Syria are doing whatever they can to make their voices heard. In Syria, the voices cry for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. The recent eruption of distaste with the government galvanized after revelations that Syrian authorities had apparently tortured and murdered a 13 year-old boy last month near the protest hub of Deraa.
Human rights groups have estimated that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Syria since the protests began in March. But the bruised and mangled body of Hamza al-Khateeb has served as a new lightning rod for the masses of Syria. After family relatives had received the body, wounds were found consistent with those of electric shock devices and cable whippings as well as bullet wounds. On 28 May, hundreds of protesters chose to ignore the perpetual military siege of Deraa. One protester relayed this message to an Al-Jezerra correspondent:
“It was the people of Deraa who started this revolution and the people of Deraa will not stop. Despite their anger, people are still insisting on facing this barbarianism with peaceful protests. Despite the tears in our eyes, we are facing them with smiles on our faces, because we know we are right.”
But the death of al-Khateeb created a real rise in the protesting. On 29 May, Syrian forces killed two people and wounded many more in the central towns of Rastan and Talbisa. Tanks backed these military forces as they moved through the two cities, searching houses for protesters in an attempt to quell the outbreaks. Residents of both towns said that basic utilities such as water and electricity were cut early Sunday morning as the troops, tanks, and helicopters moved in.
Rastan, a town known for its agricultural prosperity, is located on the main northern highway leading from Damascus to Aleppo. Talbisa is located near the major city of Homs.
The European Union has announced sanctions against Syria on 23 May. US President Barack Obama said in his speech on the Middle East earlier this month that al-Assad needed to cease the killing and lead a peaceful route to democracy or “get out of the way.” President al-Assad had promised changes in response to the protests much like changes that have occurred in Tunisia and Egypt. But to date, the Syrian population has seen no more than the 45 year-old ruler lift emergency laws while still banning all opposition and political freedoms since 1963.
For more information, please see:
BBC Syria: Restive town ‘surrounded’ by tanks 29 May 2011
Bloomberg Syrian Death Mount After Army Helicopter Attacks; Eight Killed in Homs 29 May 2011
The Jerusalem Post At least 8 killed as Syrian protesters defy gov’t crackdown 29 May 2011
Reuters Eleven killed in wider Syria military push: lawyer 29 May 2011
