Scores killed in Syria as Great Friday protests are attacked

22 April 2011

At least 75 people have been killed today in Syria during
mass protests, local human rights activists told Amnesty International, as the
government launched its deadliest crackdown yet on demonstrators calling for
political reform.

Security forces fired live ammunition at demonstrators who
had gathered across the country following Friday prayers.

Thirty were killed in the southern town of Izzra’, 22 in
Damascus, 18 in the Homs area and the rest in other towns and villages,
activists said, in what is the deadliest day so far during weeks of protest.

Two boys aged 7 and 10 years old were among those killed in
Izzra’ as was a 70-year-old man.

“The Syrian authorities have again responded to peaceful
calls for change with bullets and batons. They must immediately halt their
attacks on peaceful protesters and instead allow Syrians to gather freely as
international law demands,” said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Middle
East and North Africa director.

“They must also immediately launch an independent investigation
into what happened and ensure that any security forces found to have carried
out these killings are brought to justice.”