Alawite citizens in Syria took to the streets in many cities today following a call by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, for mass, peaceful demonstrations in support of their demands. Groups affiliated with the transitional government attacked protesters with guns and knives. According to reports, many people were killed and injured in the attacks.
In a written statement on Sunday, the Syrian Supreme Alawite Islamic Council emphasised that attacks against civilians who took to the streets to express their legitimate demands through peaceful means were unacceptable. It noted that a ‘de facto power’ had emerged that did not represent the state and disregarded the fundamental rights of citizens.
The Council highlighted that all forms of terrorist methods, including killing, beheading, shooting and torture, were used against protesters, which constituted a clear violation of international humanitarian law that guarantees freedom of expression and the right to peaceful demonstration.
Criticising the international community’s silence on the events, the Council stated that this silence gave rise to moral and legal responsibilities. It called on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to stop these crimes against civilians.
The Council emphasised that citizens had the right to express their views through peaceful means. The Council called on citizens to return to their homes for their own safety, not to relinquish their legitimate rights and to continue voicing their demands through peaceful methods.