Syria: France Condemns Violence

France on Wednesday said it condemned the violence in the Syrian town of Deraa and urged protection for the right to demonstrate peacefully in that country.

“France condemns the violence which led to deaths and injuries among demonstrators last night in Deraa,” a statement said.

The French government called on Syria, in line with what the UN Human Rights Commission has said, to “proceed with a transparent enquiry into the events of these past days and to renounce the use of excessive force.”

France also said that it was supportive of the freedom to demonstrate peacefully “in all countries.”

The Foreign Ministry statement also called on Syria to release detained demonstrators, who have been held “for their opinions or their actions in favour of the defence of human rights.”

The French statement also called on Syria to be in compliance with its international commitments on human rights, freedom of expression and opinion.

The statement also urged Syria to undertake “political reforms (which) must be committed to without delay in order to answer the aspirations expressed by the Syrian people.”