ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida- The peaceful protests erupted in the Druze majority city of Sweida over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria on August 17, 2023 continue. Yesterday, the protesters gathered at the Karama Square again.

 ‘Women prisoners are subjected to more rights violations’

A NuJINHA team spoke to several protesters. Basma El Akbani, one of the women gathered at the square, commented on the rights violations in prisons. “I know that the situation of prisons in Syria is very bad because my sons were also held in prison. Prisoners are subjected to rights violations. Women prisoners are subjected to more rights violations. We demand the immediate release of all prisoners and a democratic and free Syria,” she told us.

 ‘We will struggle until we achieve victory’

 Taghreed Al-Taweel is one of the protesters, who have been gathered at the square since the beginning of the protests to demand their rights. She demands the release of prisoners and the return of displaced people. “The regime plundered the country's resources and sold them to Russia and Iran. We will struggle until we achieve victory. We should take to the streets so that we can overcome fears, get rid of slavery, and express the truth.”

‘We suffer from an oppressive regime’

Dima Ebu İsmail is a student and one of the women, who take to the streets to voice their demands. “I want to study in a fair country. Damascus University has a long history but it has become one of the worst universities during the reign of Bashar al-Assad,” she said. “I call on all students, especially female students, to take to the streets for their rights. Many students are afraid of taking to the streets because they are threatened by the regime. We suffer from an oppressive regime. We should struggle for our freedom.”