Numerous assenting sources have reported that the Syrian Authorities has violently repressed and blocked a peaceful vigil that was to take place today in front of the Syrian parliament in order to mark the forty-forth anniversary of the exceptional consensus which took place in the Syrian province of al-Hasaka in 1962, and which resulted in stripping more than 150 thousand Kurds from their Syrian nationality.

Large numbers of citizens took part in the vigil, which was barricaded by the Syrian Security forces clad in civilian clothes. In addition to Kurdish citizens, the Syrian Democratic Coalition, the civil society, human rights organisations and the Damascus Declaration took part in the event. National Salvation Front in exile, called for citizens to participate in the vigil and show support.

Many of those participating in the vigil were beaten and disgraced at the hands of the Syrian Security and Intelligence. A number of participants were wounded as a result of this, whilst some were arrested. It is said that over sixty participants were arrested, yet only fourteen names have been identified: Zuhayr Kanjo Hamo, Jad’an Othman, Radeef Mustafa, Fawzi Ali, Ismail Mustafa, Kaniwar Ali, Amer Haso, Jumuah Ismail Mahmoud, Abdullah Mahmoud Munaawir, Suroor Shaikhmus, Mohammad Shaikh Nabi, Ali (Surname unknown), Najm al-Deen (surname unknown), Ismail (surname unknown).

The organisers and participants attempted changing the location of the vigil; however the security were prepared for any changes of location. They also raided the nearby coffee shops in which the participants were meeting close to al-Hijaz Station in central Damascus, as well as confiscating their ID Cards and gathering eye-witness reports from civilians in the nearby area.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) condemns the actions of the Syrian Authorities in refusing to allow a peaceful vigil which requests for Kurdish citizens to regain the rights taken from them to take place, and calls for the immediate release of the above mentioned who were detained simply for taking part in the vigil.

SHRC does not see any solution to the current situation in Syria except to return to those civilians the Syrian citizenship that was stripped off them, and to work fairly with the Kurdish citizens on the Kurdish issue and returning to them their rights, as well as allowing them to practise their cultural and traditional rites, as part of the diversity and culture of the Syrian people.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
5/10/2006