DAMASCUS, 10 December 2004 — Syrian police yesterday dispersed more than 100 activists who blocked traffic in central Damascus during a demonstration to push for further political reforms in the Arab country.
The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), in what is believed to be its first report on a local rights activists’ function, said police made no arrests.
“A number of citizens gathered today...at the center of Damascus on the occasion of the international day for human rights without obtaining a prior permission from the authorities,” SANA said.
“The gathering led to blocking traffic at the small square which was crowded with people and cars. That led to police intervention to disperse those gathered without any detention,” the agency added.
Lawyers said police held 9 activists for about one hour and then released them. The crowd, estimated by activists at between 100-500 people, dispersed peacefully on police orders to leave or face arrest.
Activists said they were calling for an end to the four-decade-old emergency laws in the Arab state, the cancellation of extra-ordinary courts and their rulings and political arrests. Syria on Tuesday freed 112 political prisoners under a presidential pardon. Activists say that about 300 political prisoners remain are still being held in the country.
Hundreds of political prisoners have been released since President Bashar Assad came to power upon the death of his father in 2000. He introduced a measure of political freedom, but critics say authorities later resumed its crackdown on activists.
