Syria protestors described as 'some of the bravest on the planet'

Comments ahead of ‘No More Blood - No More Fear’ march and rally outside Syrian embassy in London today, 12-4pm 

Speaking ahead of a major demonstration in London later today against the ongoing crackdown in Syria, Amnesty International UK’s Director Kate Allen has described Syria’s peaceful protestors as “some of the bravest on the planet”. 

Paying tribute to protestors who have braved repeated violent attacks from Syria’s security forces, Ms Allen said it was important to “imagine a future Syria without a government that terrorises its own people.” 

The director of Amnesty International UK also described the Syrian embassy in London as “currently a symbol of repression and injustice”, a reference to a recent pattern of threats from Syrian embassy officials in this country and elsewhere against ex-pat protestors. 

Earlier this month, Amnesty published a report showing that ex-pat Syrians in eight countries - including the UK - have received such threats. Meanwhile, earlier this week Amnesty also published a report showing that even hospitals have become places of torture for protestors in Syria. 

Ms Allen was speaking ahead of a human rights rally outside the Syrian embassy in Belgrave Square this afternoon. The event - “No More Blood - No More Fear” - will see hundreds of Syrians and other activists march to the Syrian embassy. 

Speeches outside the embassy will be given by Kate Allen; Dr Tamadur Abdullah, a Syrian medical doctor and former prisoner; Dr Wael Aleji, also a Syrian medical doctor and the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria’s UK representative; Ghias Aljundi, a Syrian human rights activist and former prisoner; Chris Doyle, Council for the Advancement of Arab British Understanding’s director; Anas El Khani, chair of British Solidarity for Syria; and Walid Saffour, from the Syrian Human Rights Committee. 

Note to editors 
Schedule: 
12: Assembly at Paddington Green, London W2 1LG 
12.45: march begins along Edgware Road, then Park Lane 
2: arrival at Syrian Embassy, 8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH 
2.45: rally begins 
4: rally ends 

Protestors will have red, black and white banners and flags (Syrian national colours). 

The event is expected to be lively, with drummers, chanting and public-address speeches. 

A number of Syrian nationals taking part will be available for interview.