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Violence in Syria Continues; EU Expands Sanctions
July 12, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On June 21, BBC News reported that Syrian security forces shot seven people dead in the cities of Homs, Hama and Deir al-Zour during clashes between President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and protesters demanding his removal. The violence followed rallies organized by authorities in several cities in support of Assad, whose 11-year rule has been challenged by a three-month popular uprising, prompting him to promise reforms on June 20. The reforms were later dismissed by protesters and world leaders as inadequate.

 According to the New York Times, on June 20, Syrian state television showed tens of thousands of people in central Damascus waving pictures of Assad while he announced an amnesty for people who committed crimes up until the day of his speech. It was the second amnesty Assad offered in three weeks. After the first amnesty, Syrian authorities freed hundreds of political prisoners, but rights groups say thousands still languish in jail and that hundreds more have since been arrested in an escalating crackdown that has reportedly killed 1,300 civilians in three months.

On June 22, Reuters reported that the European Union (EU) agreed to expand sanctions against Syria. The EU added seven individuals, including three Iranians that were deemed to be linked to a Syrian crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising. The Iranians and other newly-targeted individuals were suspected of providing military equipment and support to the Syrian government in suppressing an opposition movement.

In response, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem denounced the EU sanctions and said they were hurting the livelihood of Syrians and represented an "act of war." Speaking at a news conference in Damascus on June 23, Moallem said Syria "will forget Europe is on the map" and rejected what he deemed to be foreign interference in Syrian internal affairs. Additionally, Moallem singled out France for criticism, accusing Syria's former colonial ruler of pursuing a "colonialist agenda under the guise of human rights." France is one of several Western nations lobbying for a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution that would condemn Syria for the crackdown. Russia, a veto-wielding member of the council, has expressed opposition to such a resolution, BBC News reported.

In a separate diplomatic development, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon renewed calls for Syria to allow fact-finding and humanitarian missions in order to investigate the disputed events during months of anti-government protests. Ban spoke to the BBC on June 22, after he was re-elected to a second term as UN chief, saying he was very concerned about human rights violations in Syria.

On June 27, BBC News reported that 150 Syrian dissidents met publicly for the first time at a hotel in Damascus to discuss the current crisis in their country. The meeting's organizer, Louai Hussein, called for an end to the government crackdown on protesters and for a peaceful transition to democracy. "We are meeting today... to put forward a vision about how to end tyranny and ensure a peaceful and secure transition to the hoped-for state: the state of freedom, democracy and equality," Hussein stated.

On July 10, Voice of America reported that Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa opened a national dialogue on political reforms with a call for a transition to democracy. Some opposition activists and intellectuals joined the talks, but most prominent Syrian dissidents boycotted the conference to protest Assad's deadly crackdown on the uprising. 

On July 11, the New York Times reported that angry mobs stormed the embassies of France and the United States (US) in Damascus. The attacks come four days after US Ambassador Robert Ford and his French counterpart, Eric Chevallier, visited the central city of Hama, a flashpoint for protests against Assad's regime. The foreign ministry in Paris stated three French staff members were wounded in the embassy attack.

During a news conference on July 11, the attack provoked a strong reaction from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton said that the Syrian president had "lost its legitimacy" and is "not indispensable" to lead the country. Furthermore, Clinton added that the Syrian government had "failed to fulfill its promises and sought and accepted help from Iran to repress its people."  State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland stated that Syrian authorities had "failed" to protect diplomats and were slow in responding to the crisis, CNN reported.

According to BBC News, the Syrian government condemned Clinton's remarks and qualified them as "further proof of the flagrant interference of the US in the internal affairs of Syria."

Syria, a country of 20 million people has been experiencing massive protests demanding an end to the 41 years of the Assad family rule. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 10,000 Syrian refugees have crossed the Turkish border, and they foresee another 10,000 are sheltering on the Syrian side.

For previous news on Syria, please see:
Syrian Government Continues Crackdown; Faces EU and US Sanctions

Sources:
BBC News – Syria unrest: Clashes amid large Pro-Assad rallies

New York Times – Thousands Turn Out for Assad

Reuters – EU agrees to sanctions against Syrian officials

BBC News – Syrian foreign minister condemns extended EU sanctions

BBC News – Syria dissidents meet in Damascus to discuss transition

2011 The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – Syrian Arab Republic

Voice of America – Syrian VP Calls for Democratic Transition as Opposition Boycotts Talks

New York Times – Crowds in Syria Attack U.S. and French Embassies

CNN – Clinton blasts Syria, its president after attack on embassy

BBC News – Syria condemns Hillary Clinton's remarks about Assad