The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) on July 20 called on the Syrian government to hold accountable those who attacked peaceful protesters in front of the country's legislature in Damascus. The protest had been called to stop the escalating violence in the southern province of Suwayda, and to demand the protection of minorities and the promotion of civil peace in the country.

The human rights group stated that several protesters were attacked by civilians, some armed with sticks, causing "physical injuries and widespread panic among the participants," including many prominent activists.

SNHR condemned the inaction of law enforcement officers, despite some of them being very close to where the attacks occurred, and called the prosecution of perpetrators a "failure of the authorities."

Additionally, SNHR recommended that the Syrian transitional government establish a complaint mechanism independent of its jurisdiction, for citizens to file complaints against threats and attacks based on their activism.

International law guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), for example, affirms that individuals have the right to peacefully gather with no restrictions–unless necessary for protecting public safety.

Furthermore, Article 12 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998 asserts an obligation of states to take the necessary measures for the protection of individuals who peacefully protest. The provision states that "everyone is entitled" to effective protection under national law when engaging in peaceful activism.

The protests in front of the People's Assembly building in Damascus are part of the calls to stop the violence in the governorate of Suwayda. The majority of Sywayda’s population is Druze, a distinct ethnic and religious group primarily located in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on July 19 called for urgent accountability and a halt to escalating violence in the southern Syrian city, following the reports of mass killings, arbitrary executions, looting, and the forced displacement of civilians. Türk noted that hundreds of people have been killed since July 12, including the "unlawful killing" of at least 13 people and the reported summary execution of at least six men on July 15. The number of civilians thusly slain is likely to be much higher.

From JURIST, July 21. Used with permission.