It is necessary for the Security Council urgently to take formal action

Amnesty International: Dear Ambassador,
Strong and Urgent Security Council Action on Syria 
We, the eight human rights and advocacy organizations below, write to urge you to support a strong resolution in the Security Council on the situation in Syria. After months of ongoing human rights violations that very likely amount to crimes against humanity, it is necessary for the Security Council urgently to take formal action. Read more

Friday of Victory for Syria and Yemen 30 September 2011

Re: Turkey – Kurdish activists invade offices of the Guardian

Protesters call for coverage on alleged human rights abuses by government against Kurdish minority in Turkey

Over a dozen protesters from the London-based Kurdish Youth group, forced their way into the offices of the Guardian on Friday afternoon.

The 15 activists remained peaceful but shouted slogans. They were stopped from entering the main newsroom by security staff.

Police officers who attended the scene stood aside as the protesters met editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger to talk about their concerns.

In front of dozens of members of staff, Mark Campbell, an activist on Kurdish issues read out a statement on behalf of the group, accusing the Turkish government of perpetrating a war on the Kurdish ethnic minority, who mainly live in the the eastern half of the country, on the border with Iraq. Read more

Thursday 29 September 2011

Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre: SUMMARY(29/09/2011): Today was the Thursday of Lattakia – Syria’s largest coastal city, under military occupation for more than 6 months (since 27th March) where at least 183 martyrs have fallen. Meanwhile, Rastan has been under heavy attack for 3 days now, dozens are dead, the city is burning. Local sources say that there have been airstrikes and attacks on the hospital and medical staff. In Damascus Assad’s supporters reinforced their peacenik image when a mob of Bashar lovers attacked the US Ambassador. “Unknown” gunmen killed a kid in a driveby shooting near Idleb. Syria – Thursday 29/09/2011 Read more

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre: SUMMARY (28/09/2011): At least 14 martyrs were reported today – mostly in Homs province. Rastan and Talbisah remain under heavy attack. All reports indicate that for once this is a 2 way battle with the regime’s forces, as well as civilians and defectors, sustaining dozens of casualties. Meanwhile, in Homs another academic was assassinated by unknown gunmen and at least 8 girls have been kidnapped in recent days. Over in la-la land, the Security Council member states continue to squabble about a resolution on Syria. Take your time diplomats, we are only dying here… Syria – Wednesday 28/09/2011 Read more

Syria: Investigate Possible State Role in Decapitating Woman

Kidnappings, Deaths of Detainees, Including Woman’s Brother, Widespread in Homs: Syrian security forces either killed and mutilated Zaynab al-Hosni or are turning a blind eye to gangs committing gruesome murders against anti-government activists and their families. In either case, the government of Bashar al-Assad is perpetuating a climate of terror in Syria and fanning the flames of sectarian mistrust. 

Tuesday 27 September 2011

The truth is what big brother says it is – Simon Collis Ambassador to Syria, Damascus

I’ve been British Ambassador in Syria for the last four years. Last weekend I decided to start this blog after Syria passed a terrible milestone. The Syrians have now endured six months of unrest and violent suppression of mostly peaceful protests. As they now look towards the next six months with a mixture of uncertainty, fear and hope, I wanted to share some personal impressions about what’s happening. Some thoughts about why it’s happening. And maybe to spark some debate about what comes next and what can be done. Read more

Arrests and death threats silence Syrian activists

Amnesty International: When Syrian security forces came looking for Muhammad Al Hamwi on 23 September, they made a threat calculated to strike fear into any Syrian parent’s heart.

The man in charge told Muhammad’s parents: “I will crush the throat of your son with my foot. I will return him to you like Ghayath Mattar.”

The Al Hamwis knew only too well what he meant. Ghayath, a friend of Muhammad’s, was arrested on 6 September after helping to lead peaceful protests in the Damascus suburb of Daraya. His dead body was returned to his parents four days after his arrest, bearing marks of torture.  Read more

Monday 26 September 2011

Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre: SUMMARY (26/09/2011): At least 15 martyrs fell today – including 4 detainees from Halfaya who were tortured to death and 2 professors at Ba’ath University in Homs who were both assassinated by unknown gunmen (guess who state media blames…). There have been more clashes between the Syrian Free Army and Assad’s forces in Homs, while more school students in Daraa, Idleb and Homs have joined the school boycott, with many other students protesting. Meanwhile, FM Moallem tried to rewrite history at the UN and continued the regime’s policy of “blame anyone but us” for Syria’s problems. Syria – Monday 26/09/2011 Read more

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