SYRIA: Syrians gather at funeral of clashes victim

Record ID: 278971

  • Title: SYRIA: Syrians gather at funeral of clashes victim
  • Date: 18th April 2011
  • Summary: DERAA, SYRIA (APRIL 16, 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE OF PROTESTERS PEOPLE LISTENING TO SHEIKH PROTESTERS CHANTING "THE PEOPLE WANT THE OVERTHROW OF THE REGIME" SYRIAN FLAG WAVING IN THE WIND SHEIKH ADDRESSING CROWD WIDE OF PROTESTERS CHEERING PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER READING 'ALLAH AKBAR' VARIOUS OF CROWDS PICTURES OF CLASH VICTIMS WIDE OF CROWDS BANIAS, SYRIA (APRIL 1
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA203B08E7QKRGD0G661H0B6OK2
  • Story Text: Thousands of Syrians gather in Deraa to commemorate protesters killed in anti-regime clashes, while the funeral for a recent victim of clashes takes place in Banias.
    Thousands of people marched in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, the fount of the protest wave, on Saturday (April 16), chanting: "The people want the overthrow of the regime."
    A large crowd gathered near the Omari mosque in Deraa -- a focal point for demonstrations in the city -- waiving the Syrian flag and chanting slogans opposing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
    Meanwhile, mourners carried the coffin of a recent victim of clashes through the streets of coastal city Banias, also a flashpoint.
    Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday emergency law in place for almost 50 years in Syria would be lifted by next week but ignored popular demands to curb the security apparatus and dismantle its authoritarian system.
    Assad, facing unprecedented pressure for democratic reform, had earlier pledged to replace the repressive emergency law with anti-terrorism legislation, but opposition figures said this was likely to preserve tough restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly in Syria, under monolithic Baath Party rule since 1963.
    Emergency law bans public gatherings of more than five people and served to throttle any public dissent until Syrians began taking to the streets a month ago, emboldened by popular uprisings that ousted autocratic leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.
    Assad, 45, who took office in 2000 upon the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who ruled for 30 years, said stability remained his priority but reform was needed But he did not mention the main demands of tens of thousands of protesters, namely to end the tight grip of security services on everyday life, release thousands of long-serving political prisoners, most of whom have been held without trial, and do away with a clause in Syria's constitution that enshrines the Baath Party as "leader of the state and society."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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