Syria announces amnesty, as violence claims more victims
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 November 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria announces amnesty, as violence claims more victims, 4 November 2011, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4ec50449c.html [accessed 18 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 04, 2011
Syrian antiregime protesters marching through the streets of Homs last week.
Syria's state television has announced an amnesty for those who surrender their weapons by November 12.
It said the amnesty will apply to those "who carry arms, who sold them, distributed them, bought them or financed their purchase and who have not committed any murder."
The weeklong amnesty begins on November 5. Syrian authorities have used force to crush anti-regime protests since mid-March.
The UN says more than 3,000 people have been killed.
The amnesty comes after Syria agreed to an Arab League peace plan to end the bloodshed.
Embattled President Bashar al-Assad has already ordered two general amnesties since the conflict erupted.
Meanwhile, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 12 people were killed on November 4 when Syrian security forces fired on pro-democracy protesters and deserters in the central city of Homs and near the border with Jordan.
Opposition leaders had called for massive protests on November 4 to test the government's willingness to stick to the agreement.
compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
