Posted: Friday, 1 April 2011

The people of Syria are rising up in protest at repression of fundamental rights and the lack of decent jobs. The regime’s promises of partial reform are insufficient and they must immediately stop repression and open a dialogue with opponents.

The Canadian Labour Congress joins the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in calling on the Syrian authorities to respect fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to form and join genuine trade unions to represent their interests. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime must immediately stop its violent repression, open a dialogue with its opponents, and allow the development of legitimate civil society organizations.

Partial reforms promised by the regime are unlikely to quell the anger spreading across the country, nor satisfy demands for democracy and human rights. Dozens of protesters are believed to have been killed by the regime’s security forces since unrest began, following the arrest of several children for painting anti-regime slogans on walls in the town of Deraa. Scores of people have been detained since the protests began, although the regime has said they will now be released.

Despite promises by the regime to introduce limited reforms, the ITUC has received reports from Syria indicating that security forces are still using live ammunition against demonstrators as protests spread across the country, including to Damascus.

Heavy restrictions on journalists trying to report on the situation remain in place. Just as in other countries in the region, people are rising up in protest at repression of fundamental rights and the lack of decent jobs and prospects for the future. A large proportion of Syria’s population lives below the poverty line, with unemployment around 30%. The country has existed under a state of emergency since 1963, with heavy restrictions on civil and political rights, and the trade unions under the full control of the regime.