Syria braced for protests despite al-Assad's promises of reform

Fri, 25 Mar 2011

Cairo/Damascus - Mass protests were expected in Syria on Friday as activists called for "Day of Dignity" rallies in the country, despite promises by President Bashar al-Assad to meet "the demands of the Syrian people."

"Every inch in Syria will rise today for our freedom, for the blood of our brothers, for the dignity of the detained women, for years of pain, fear, repression, corruption and favoritism," one activist wrote on his Facebook page.

Many protesters have been using social networking websites such as Facebook, which have been recently unblocked in Syria, to spread news about their action.

Friday's planned protests were to take place after al-Assad promised to "study" ending the country's emergency rule, which has been enforced since 1963.

Al-Assad also issued a decree increasing salaries for all employees in the public sector and reducing taxes.

The concessions come after a week of violent crackdowns on anti-government protesters that have left dozens killed. Security forces have reportedly opened fire on protesters in the city of Daraa, the focal point of this week's protests.

Meanwhile, Mazen Darwish, a journalist and activist, was released Thursday evening, one day after he was arrested in Damascus. His release comes after al-Assad ordered the release of all those detained during the protests in Daraa.

For more than a week, Syrian protesters have taken to the streets to demand an end to emergency law, greater freedoms, and - in some cases - the ouster of al-Assad.

Syria has been ruled by the Baath party since 1963. Political freedoms in the country are severely restricted.

The government crackdown has led to harsh criticism from several Western powers.

Amnesty International on Thursday urged the government to halt the use of excessive force against protesters.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/373304,protests-al-assads-promises-reform.html.