On 19 April 2011, the Syrian government approved a bill to rescind Syria's decades-old Emergency Law, which had, amongst its various repressive measures on civil liberties, also restricted public gatherings. Despite the repeal of the highly criticised 1963 Emergency Law, violence against peaceful protestors continues - more than 200 demonstrators have been killed over past ten days - begging questions as to President Assad's regime's real intentions in formally legalising the much sought after rights to freedom of opinion, expression and assembly.

Following to Alkarama's communication to the UN on 30 March 2011 - regarding the arrest of 301 individuals - a further 359 arrests took place between 1 to 10 April 2011, although some have now been released. Alkarama is still currently processing the names and cases of those arrested since 10 April 2011, however fears this list will continue to grow in the coming weeks. Those arrested and detained are at risk of torture and ill-treatment, which is regularly practiced in Syria.

The growing list of arrestees only pales in comparison with the list of those killed in recent days. Alkarama's sources in the region continue to compile lists of those who have been killed and arrested since 10 April and will be providing this information to relevant UN human rights protection mechanisms.

In light of the degrading situation in Syria, Alkarama, as well as other NGOs, both Syrian, regional and international, applaud the UN Human Rights Council's decision to hold a special session on "The situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic", scheduled for Friday 29 April 2011 at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland.