Supreme Alawite Islamic Council condemns repression of peaceful protesters

The Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the diaspora issued a statement today condemning what it described as the “systematic repression” faced by unarmed civilians who took to the streets to demand their legitimate rights. The council affirmed that what occurred exposes the “reality of the de facto authority,” which does not represent a state and does not respect its most fundamental principles.

In its statement, the council said that protesters were confronted with “all forms of terror and intimidation,” pointing to violations that included killings, throat-slitting, gunfire, running people over, arrests, and repression. It described these acts as a “blatant and clear violation” of humanitarian laws and international conventions that guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The statement held the international silence morally and legally responsible for what is happening, urging the international community to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the “grave violations” committed against civilians.

At the same time, the council stressed the people’s right to peaceful expression and called on citizens to safeguard their safety and return to their homes, while emphasizing unwavering adherence to legitimate rights and the continuation of demands through peaceful means.

These peaceful demonstrations come as part of a series of protests called for by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Islamic Council, demanding the right to self-determination and federalism, amid reports of casualties caused by gunfire from militants affiliated with factions of the transitional government in an attempt to disperse the protests by force.

ANHA