Protest in Sweida demands self-determination, return of displaced residents

Al-Karama Square in Sweida witnessed today, Saturday, a protest attended by a number of residents and activists, calling for the right to self-determination, the disclosure of the fate of those abducted and forcibly disappeared, and the opening of the mass graves file, in addition to emphasizing the right of displaced people to return to their villages and areas.

Participants raised banners and slogans stressing commitment to national and human rights, affirming that the right of return is a fundamental priority, alongside demands for a state based on justice and the rule of law.

The protesters called for keeping the education sector away from political disputes, rejecting its use as a pressure tool, and demanding urgent solutions that allow students to sit for their exams within their areas to ensure their safety and academic future.

Participants stressed that threatening students’ educational future constitutes a violation of their rights, noting the need to protect future generations from the consequences of political and security conflicts.

The protest also saw the participation of several women of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, who demanded the disclosure of their relatives’ fate and their release, affirming the continuation of peaceful activism in defense of freedom, dignity, and justice.

One activist delivered a speech highlighting the importance of resilience and holding on to rights, recalling the suffering of war-affected areas and the humanitarian tragedies it has caused.

The protest concluded with an affirmation of continuing peaceful mobilization under the slogan: “We want a state of reason, not a state of fear,” with emphasis on rejecting exclusion and calling for the building of a civil state based on rights and freedoms.

A-H 

ANHA