Killing one's own people because they want freedom is really beyond horrific. But, it's hard to find the words to describe a government that tortures and kills a 13 year old kid. In Syria, the death of Hamza Ali al-Khateeb has fueled a new round of protests, apparently larger than any seen to date. And, the Syrian Government is killing more of its citizens. Via the NY Times:
Syrians poured into the streets Friday in some of the largest antigovernment protests yet despite the shutdown of much of the country’s Internet network, which has been crucial to demonstrators’ ability to mobilize and a major source of information for those outside the country.It's very difficult to watch, but the video of Hamza Ali al-Khateeb's mutilated body is here.
The worst violence Friday appeared to be in the restive city of Hama, where at least 40 protesters were killed in a continuation of a brutal nationwide government crackdown that has lasted for months, according to local activists. That report could not be immediately confirmed.
Friday’s demonstrations against the authoritarian rule of President Bashar al-Assad were fueled in part by escalating anger over the torture and killing of a 13-year-old boy from the southern region of Dara’a. The boy, Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, has become a symbol of government oppression after a video of his mutilated body was circulated on YouTube. On Friday, protesters in dozens of cities dedicated their marches to him and other children killed during the uprising.
“We won’t forgive, we will kill the child killer,” chanted protesters in Homs, a center of dissent, according to a witness who gave his name as Mohamed. “We will continue until your end.”
More from Al-Jazeera English:
Syrian security forces have opened fire on one of the largest anti-government protests in the 10-week uprising so far, leaving at least 34 people dead in the central city of Hama, activists said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the victims were killed on Friday as security forces dispersed a rally of more than 50,000 people in a city where thousands died in a failed 1982 revolt against the government.
The deaths came as president Bashar al-Assad's forces renewed their assault on towns seen as key to the demonstrations calling for an end to his family's 40-year rule.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the Hama protest was among the largest yet in the uprising that began in mid-March. He said security forces also shot dead one person in the village of Has in the northern province of Idlib.
