Syria: An Amnesty Offer Coincides With a Tidal Wave of New Arrests

Syria remains the location of deliberate violence against civilians.  Dozens have been killed in recent days as Syrian army units continue to lay siege to the southern city of Deraa and other flashpoint cities across the country.  Citizens in Deraa continue to live in complete darkness and destitution as basic services, including water and electricity, have been cut off by the Syrian army, preventing the arrival of much needed food and medical supplies.  In a statementreleased yesterday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) deplored the loss of life and injuries in Syria and asked for immediate and unimpeded access to those in need.
 
As security forces continue to brutally repress protestors and unarmed citizens, Syria has called on its citizens that were “misled” into acting unlawfully to turn themselves in, in return for exemption from prosecution.  On Sunday evening, the interior ministry offered an amnesty until May 15th for citizens caught up in the revolt.  The ministry further urged Syrians to “supply information about saboteurs, terrorists and arms caches,” pledging that “they will be spared any subsequent legal consequences.”
 
In the meantime, the government continues its crackdown on anti-government protesters, as more than 1,000 people have been arrested since Monday, in the cities of Damascus, Homs, Zabadani, Madaya, Harasta, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous, as well as other towns and cities.  Recently released detainees said they were held in harsh conditions and beaten, raising fears for the safety of hundreds of others that are being held or that have disappeared. Hundreds of other detainees received a three-year prison sentence on Tuesday.
 
There are also witness reports stating that tanks have surrounded the suburb of Daraya.  Security forces have also moved into Kafar Nubbol, 320 kilometers north of Damascus, at dawn on Monday, and arrested further people 26 people in the capital and in the eastern city of Qamishli.
 
GI-NET/SDC will continue to monitor the situation on the ground over the course of the week and will post updates as the situation warrants.