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 people gathered at the Karama Square and demanded the release of political prisoners and the resignation of the Syrian government.

Dima Abu Ismail has been participating in the protests since August 17, 2023. “I come here to protest the anti-democratic practices of the Syrian government. The living conditions of the people have been deteriorating due to the policies of the government. The continuation of the protests will overthrow the Syrian government,” she told NuJINHA.

 ‘The Civil Status Law must be amended’

Amal Danoun, one of the protesters, pointed to the Syrian Civil Status Law and said, “The Civil Status Law must be amended to guarantee all women’s rights.

“We will keep protesting until the government changes and all our demands are met. The Syrian government does not provide a safe and free future to the people. People cannot even meet their basic needs. Women pay the heaviest prices of the deteriorating economic situation. We call on all women to take to the streets for a life with dignity.”

‘Our children immigrate to other countries’

Another protester, Bashira Zahreddine talked about the young people, who immigrate to other countries. “They leave their country to other countries because they want to have a better life. We gather here to rebuild our country based on freedom and democracy. We will gather here until the government changes.”