FROM RUSSIA; HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST UPDATE 13FEB14

YOU can follow the Russian human rights saga playing out during the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 games on the Human Rights First RSS feed http://humanrightsfirst.org/feed
Here is the latest update, and you can find more on this blog by doing a search for Sochi

As our journey to Sochi began, U.S. Olympian David Pichler and I stopped by St. Petersburg, where we met with Russian LGBT activists Anastasia Smirnova, Igor Kochetkov, Maria Kozlovska and others. They told us that, despite the international attention generated by the Sochi Olympics, they were still anticipating an ongoing and increased backlash against Russia’s LGBT community. The very next day, just hours before the Opening Ceremony, Russian police detained Anastasia and four other activists for holding posters that called for the Sochi Games - and for Russia - to uphold the Olympic Charter’s nondiscrimination clause, Principle 6. While one may have thought these arrests could give pause to those fighting for equality in Russia, they did not. When the Olympic torch leaves Sochi on February 23, Human Rights First’s attention to the human rights abuses in Russia will not go with it. President Obama appointed the right delegation to the Olympics. The United States needs to keep up that bold commitment in their diplomacy after Sochi too. We will continue to support Russia’s LGBT community by encouraging U.S. officials to continue engaging with activists and others facing the brutal consequences of Russia’s crackdown. We will also urge U.S. officials to continue raising concerns about the discriminatory anti-propaganda laws as part of its official engagement with Russia. Russia’s LGBT community needs our support. In the coming weeks, we will let you know how you can join us in our work to advance equality in Russia and beyond. In the meantime, you can continue to follow developments and read more about our experiences on the ground here. Sincerely, Shawn Gaylord Human Rights First P.S. Take a stand for equality by making a donation to Human Rights First and receiving our “Sochi. Equality.” embroidered knit hat as a gift of our appreciation. Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the struggle for human rights so we press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they don't, we step in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms.

Human Rights First,
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004
www.humanrightsfirst.org
Join us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter

Help Free Tortured Bahraini Teacher Jaleela Al-Salman from Human Rights First 25OKT11

THE American government claims to support the non-violent protesters calling for freedom, democracy and human rights in the Arab world. The American government participated in NATO actions supporting the Libyan revolution, supported the peaceful protesters in Tunisia and Egypt and has been very supportive of the pro democracy protesters in Syria. BUT the American government has turned it's back on the peaceful pro democracy protesters in Bahrain and turned a blind eye on the brutal reaction of the Bahraini government while they killed hundreds of their own citizens and have arrested, tortured and imprisoned thousands of Bahrainis. Why? The American Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain and the U.S. military-industrial complex makes a lot of money selling weapons to the Bahraini government. The American government should be considering whether the Navy will be allowed to stay in Bahrain once the pro democracy movement actually wins control of the nation. Please sign the petition by Human Rights First calling for the release of Jaleela Al-Salman, a Bahraini teacher active in the movement for freedom, democracy and human rights. She has been arrested again and is facing more torture by the government as long as she is in their custody. Watch her video and click the link to sign....

The Bahraini government isn't just targeting  medics; it's going after teachers too. Two weeks ago, Jaleela Al-Salman, a Bahraini teacher and vice president of the Bahrain Teachers Association, told me that the Bahraini security forces had tortured her when she was in detention earlier this year. Just after we spoke, masked men in civilian clothes broke into her home and abducted her again. There is a very real danger she will be tortured again. Stand with Bahraini activists! Ask the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, to help free Jaleela immediately and to push for the Bahrain security forces to respect peaceful protests. The Bahraini security forces first took Jaleela into custody in March for supporting the democracy movement. She was detained for over five months—longer than of any other woman arrested in connection to the pro-democracy protests. After a sham trial, a military court sentenced her to three years in prison relying on a confession Jaleela signed after being tortured. She was released pending an appeal scheduled for December. While she was free, Jaleela spoke out about her abuse by the government, and this could be the reason for her re-arrest. Bahrain's pro-democracy protests have been the largest, proportionately, of any country in the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have risen up to demand their human rights. The Bahrain monarchy has responded with a violent crackdown. At Human Rights First, we work to make sure that the United States lives up to its ideals on human rights. Bahrain, the home of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, is an important ally of the United States that must not be allowed to violate the rights of its people. We cannot stand by while activists continue to be detained and violently silenced for supporting democracy. Sign the petition now! Human Rights First will deliver this petition to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, and urge her to support release for Jaleela and other Bahraini activists fighting for democracy and human rights. Sign now! Sincerely, Brian Dooley Human Rights First

Human Rights First,
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004
www.humanrightsfirst.org
Join us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter

Occupy Wall Street petition update 13OKT11

UPDATE on the eviction of Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park and the petition delivery to Mayor Bloomberg from MoveOn.org

Photo from tonight's petition delivery press conference at Occupy Wall Street. Find local Occupy events

Tonight I went to Occupy Wall Street to deliver the signatures of more than 240,000 people—including you—who signed our emergency petition asking Mayor Bloomberg not to evict the Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park tomorrow.

We held a huge press conference at the park with dozens of news outlets, and then hundreds people marched up Broadway to City Hall to deliver the petition.

When they found out Mayor Bloomberg was busy dining with the 1% a few blocks away at the ultra-luxurious Cipriani, the march continued to the doors of the restaurant.

It was a strong show of nationwide solidarity, numerous local elected officials joined our march to oppose Bloomberg's decision, and MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell even featured the petition tonight. As of right now, however, Bloomberg's order to clear Zuccotti Park still stands and we won't know until tomorrow morning what he's going to do.

But regardless of Mayor Bloomberg's actions, the most important thing any of us can do is to make sure this movement keeps growing by supporting a local Occupy event in our town.

Here's a great map listing of tons of Occupy events all over the country that our friends at DailyKos put together:  

www.occupywallstreetevents.com

As we wait to see what happens in New York tomorrow, I hope you'll find the event closest to you and go there to show your solidarity.

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Tate, Peter, Elena, and the rest of the team

EVICTING OCCUPY WALL STREET 13OKT11

URGENT CALL TO ACTION FROM MOVEON.ORG.....I signed the petition and called and hope you will too!!!!!

Click here to sign your name: "Mayor Bloomberg: Respect the protesters' First Amendment rights. Don't try to evict Occupy WallStreet." Sign the Petition!

At 7 a.m. tomorrow, Mayor Bloomberg is evicting the Occupy Wall Street protesters from their occupation of Zuccotti Park, unless you can help.¹


Another important way to make sure that Mayor Bloomberg hears from all of us is to call New York City's complaint line at (212) NEW-YORK--that's (212) 639-9675.

When you're asked to, Press 1 for English, hit 0, and then wait through the message and hold music until you get an operator. Then tell the operator you're calling in protest against the eviction of the Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park.

This New York call line has great systems for gathering, counting, and reporting calls, so our collective call will be heard.  

Zuccotti Park is the birthplace of the Occupy protests sweeping the nation and capturing the public's attention. It's where a community of committed Americans are standing up against Wall Street and the corporate capture of our democracy for the 99% of us trying to take back the American Dream.

But tomorrow at 7 a.m., under Mayor Bloomberg's orders, the NYPD is coming to Zuccotti Park to kick the 99% protesters out. It's being done under the guise of "cleaning" the park, but new rules will mean the end of the occupation.²

We have very little time to act. We need to gather a huge national petition as soon as possible, so we can deliver it to City Hall tonight and have it for the protesters in Zuccotti Park.

So act now. Sign the petition and tell Mayor Bloomberg: "Respect the protesters' First Amendment rights. Don't try to evict Occupy Wall Street."

Sign the petition.

Zuccotti Park may be in New York, but the protesters are standing up against Wall Street and the damage they've done to millions of Americans everywhere. That's why it's an inspiration and nerve center for a growing occupation movement that's spreading to every corner of the country.

So it's not just this one protest that's at stake tomorrow morning, because if we allow the eviction to happen, other mayors across the country are sure to follow Bloomberg's lead.

What's at stake today is the very right we have as Americans to speak out when we've been wronged and peaceably assemble as a community to seek redress from the government.

Sign the petition, so that Mayor Bloomberg can hearfrom all of us across the country right away.

Employing a tactic that's been used to break up similar protest actions, Mayor Bloomberg is sending in the police under the guise of a "cleaning operation." But that's a PR farce, because protesters will only be allowed back in if they obey rules that include: no "lying down" and no use of "tarps or sleeping bags or other covering."³

Obviously, the 99% protesters can't continue to occupy Zuccotti Park if they have to stand for 24 hours a day, and as the nights grow colder and the rain pours down, they can't endure without sleeping bags, tarps, and the like. Make no mistake—this is an eviction, and we have less than 24 hours to stop it.

So sign the petition and tell Mayor Bloomberg: "Respect the protesters' First Amendment rights. Don't try to evict Occupy Wall Street." Then get the word out to everyone you know on your social networks.

Sign the petition.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Eli, Elena, Adam Q., and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Occupy Wall Street Responds to Bloomberg's Cleaning 'Eviction Notice,'" The New York Observer, October 13, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=265305&id=31974-17549061-uRhjGnx&t=6

2. Notice from Brookfield Real Estate distributed by NYPD, October 13, 2011
http://s3.moveon.org/pdfs/doc-10_13_11%209_39%20am.pdf?id=31974-17549061-uRhjGnx&t=7

3. Ibid.

Tell Congress: Stop Rewarding Dictators with Weapons! 12OKT11

MUCH to our shame the American government has resumed military arms sales to the brutal, repressive, undemocratic government of Bahrain. This action by the American government makes a mockery of our claim to support pro-democratic, freedom loving people around the world, exposes the hypocrisy of our foreign policy carried out in our name but in reality to enrich and feed the greed of the American military-industrial complex. How can the American government condemn Syria for their bloody repression of their own people's struggle for freedom and democracy and then reward Bahrain for doing the same? Doctors and nurses in Bahrain have been arrested, tortured, faced "trials" and have been sentenced to prison for treating wounded pro-democracy protesters. Bahraini athletes, political activist, human right activist and regular citizens have experienced the same and scores have been killed by Bahraini government forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia. Please support the joint Resolution of Disapproval, introduced by Sen Ron Wyden D OR and Rep Jim McGovern D MA to block the sale of military hardware and weapons to Bahrain while the government of Bahrain continues to kill, torture and imprison their own citizens who are peacefully struggling for freedom, democracy and human rights.

Human Rights First is voicing concerns of frontline activists in Bahrain and making sure that the U.S. use its leverage to promote human rights and democracy in the region. Resources:

• Here’s more on our work on Bahrain
• Report: Bahrain: A Torturous Process
• Read the joint Resolution of Disapproval, blocking the arms sale to Bahrain:
  • U.S. Senate: S. J. RES. 28
  • U.S. House of Representatives: H. J. RES. 80

Good news! Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) have stepped up and are leading the fight in Congress to stop the arms sale to Bahrain's brutal monarchy. They introduced a joint Resolution of Disapproval in Congress that will block this sale immediately. But now your Senators and Representatives need to hear from you. Tell Congress to stop arming the Bahraini dictatorship with weapons by supporting this resolution today! Bahrain's pro-democracy protests have been the largest, proportionately, of any country in the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have risen up to demand their human rights. The Bahraini regime, trying to protect its power, has abducted, tortured, and killed peaceful protestors. Home of the Navy's U.S. Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is an important strategic U.S. ally, and the United States has been muted in its criticisms of the regime's brutality. Now the Pentagon intends to sell $53 million worth of armored Humvees and TOW missiles to Bahrain. The United States should not reward a regime that brutalizes its people. Tell Congress to stand on the side of democracy and human rights in the Middle East by blocking the arms sale to the Bahrain Monarchy! If the United States aspires to be a global leader on human rights and inspire those fighting for democracy in the Middle East and elsewhere, it simply cannot reward repressive regimes with weapons. It must side with human rights, not dictators. Sincerely, Brian Dooley Human Rights First

MAO HENGFENG, Severely beaten, clearly tortured, barely alive from AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 12AUG11

THE prc's record on human rights is among the worst in the world. Here in the U.S. we have our problems concerning human rights, and the civil rights and civil liberties granted by our constitution and the laws of the nation are under constant attack and too often violated, often by the political extreme right wing. HOWEVER, we can not be compared to the prc in the brutality of the repression of their own people or in the numbers arrested, detained, and tortured by the government in Beijing. Please join Amnesty International in demanding accountability for the torture of human rights activist Mao HengFeng.

	Mao Hengfeng was delivered home from detention unconscious and in a wheelchair.
	The last time Mao Hengfeng was home from jail, the celebration was short-lived. She had roughly two days of freedom before being re-detained on vague charges. Two weeks ago, when Chinese police returned Mao Hengfeng home from her most recent term of "Re-Education through Labor" - it didn't feel right to celebrate at all. She was home, but she was delivered unconscious in a wheelchair...severely beaten...clearly tortured...barely alive1. It gets worse. Shanghai authorities have been known to return detainees to their homes shortly before they die so that they can later wash their hands of all culpability. Because her release was completely unexpected, Mao's husband and family could only expect the worst. I can honestly tell you that some of my happiest moments here at Amnesty International have been the days when a prisoner of conscience is released. Just knowing that they are being reunited with their loved ones makes our work all the more satisfying. But bittersweet doesn't even begin to cover the disgraceful "homecoming" of Mao Hengfeng. Not only should she have never been detained in the first place for voicing her beliefs, but no one - and I mean no one - should ever experience the appalling treatment she did while in detention. Help us demand accountability for the torture and abuse of Mao Hengfeng. For simply demanding political and social change, Chinese authorities have repeatedly arrested this wife and mother of three. Her most recent detention stems from her 2009 protest of the detention of Liu Xiaobo, a prominent human rights defender in China and the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. She has also been a strong advocate for women's reproductive rights and the victims of forced evictions in Shanghai. We've been told that since being home, Mao's condition has improved slightly. She regained consciousness and has started to walk and talk again slowly. We couldn't be more relieved to hear this news and hope that her progress continues. But even though Mao's condition may continue to improve, Amnesty International will not let her wounds be forgotten. Take action for Mao Hengfeng. Please take action to support this courageous woman's struggle for human rights! Thank You, Michael O'Reilly Senior Campaign Director, Individuals at Risk Amnesty International USA 1. http://blog.amnestyusa.org/women/mao-hengfengs-bittersweet-homecoming		Beaten until she was unconscious No one should ever experience the appalling treatment that human rights defender Mao Hengfeng did while in police custody.
© 2011 Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400

Stop Apple's iPhone Kill Switch 22JUN11

STEVE Jobs missed his calling, missed his place in history actually. He would have been a Wunderkind in hitler's reich, helping the nazis really control everyone and everything. But we know better, and don't have to tolerate his abuses of privacy and civil rights and liberties. Click the link to tell apple to drop their plans for the kill switch on their phones and i pads. 

ActNow: Stop Apple’s iPhone Kill Switch

Think you own your smartphone? Think again.
Apple wants to patent a kill switch technology that can detect when people are using their phone cameras and give corporations the power to shut them down.¹
Think that’s bad? Imagine what would happen if this tool fell into the hands of repressive regimes. Thousands of people across the Middle East have used cellphone cameras to document government abuses.
This kind of technology would give tyrants the power to stem the flow of videos and crack down on protesters with impunity.
Sign our letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Demand that Apple stop developing technology that harms democracy and free speech.
Apple says this new technology was designed to stop concertgoers from taking unofficial video at live events. But you can bet that governments and corporations will use it  in other, more dangerous ways – to silence the voices of protesters, political opponents or anyone else they dislike.
As Steve Jobs obviously knows, smartphones have become extensions of ourselves. They are incredibly powerful tools for communication, education, political expression, community organizing and just plain fun.
Tell Steve Jobs that WE control our phones: Neither Apple nor anybody else can dictate what we photograph and film with them.
Earlier this year, researchers discovered that iPhones recorded your every move for the past year in a hidden but unprotected file.² The public was outraged, and Apple soon announced that it was updating its software to better protect users.
We must stop Apple again. This new camera-blocking technology is a pre-emptive strike against free speech. If activated, it would be immensely harmful to our rights to connect and communicate.
Please take action now to urge Steve Jobs to pull the plug on this censorship technology.
Thanks,
Josh Levy
Online Campaign Manager
Free Press
www.freepress.net
1. “Is Apple Launching a Pre-emptive Strike Against Free Speech?” Huffington Post, June 22, 2011:  http://act2.freepress.net/go/4692?akid=2596.9767049.5AiSFn&t=7
2. “Got an iPhone or 3G iPad? Apple is recording your moves,” O’Reilly Radar, April 20, 2011: http://act2.freepress.net/go/4627?akid=2596.9767049.5AiSFn&t=9

BAHRAIN: Blood on the streets, injustice in the courts from AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 7JUN11

THE U.S. government and military MUST demand the government of Bahrain release all political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and end the show trials for those arrested for protesting for and supporting the nonviolent demonstrations for freedom, democracy and the end of corruption in the Bahraini government. We have been on the wrong side of people struggling for their human rights too many times, we can not continue doing so and must demand the government of Bahrain free these people and recognize their Universal Human Rights. Click the link to participate in this action from AI, Amnesty International....

	Bahraini officials couldn't silence activists on the streets, so they'll try to do it in the courtroom.
	Hi Supporter, Emergency rule was lifted in Bahrain last week. While the harsh laws responsible for the widespread government crackdowns against civilians are no longer being enforced, the injustice remains. The long (and growing) list of people being paraded in front of military courts is simply appalling! This week, nearly 50 of the brave doctors and nurses who treated protestors during the months of bitter and bloody street violence are being called into court.1 Furthermore, a total of 21 opposition figures, including seven in absentia, who led and participated in the demonstrations, are being tried in military court without proper access to lawyers, their families, or foreign media coverage. Several of these individuals are likely prisoners of conscience. The people of Bahrain were too powerful to be finished off in the streets. Stop Bahraini officials from trying to silence them behind the closed doors of military courts! In May, President Obama had called on Bahraini authorities to respect their citizens' human rights. Since then, the U.S. has done little to follow through with diplomatic pressure. President Obama said that "the only way forward is for the government and opposition to engage in a dialogue, and you can't have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail." We couldn't agree with you more, Mr. President. That's why we're encouraging the U.S. to turn up the volume on its calls to Bahraini authorities. Demand that all opposition figures currently on trial be: 1) granted regular access to their lawyers and families and 2) released immediately and unconditionally, if held solely for criticizing the authorities. Far too many civilians have already lost their lives on the streets of Bahrain. Taking action now could mean protecting others from losing their freedom in court. In Solidarity, Christoph Koettl Crisis Campaigner, Middle East and North Africa Amnesty International USA

Al Jazeera demands release of journalist from AL JAZEERA 14MAI11

UPDATE on Dorothy Parvaz, missing Al Jazeera reporter last seen in Syria 14 days ago. She has American, Canadian and Iranian citizenship and may have been deported from Syria to Iran and may be in prison there. Click the header to go to the Al Jazeera site for updates on her detention. God be with her....and all the others in Syria and Iran who have been arrested and disappeared....

Al Jazeera demands release of journalist

DOHA, QATAR - Al Jazeera has been given information that journalist Dorothy Parvaz has been deported from Syria to Iran. This information has come from Syrian officials, who had previously told Al Jazeera they were holding Dorothy in Damascus, and that she would be released. An Al Jazeera spokesman said: "We have now received information that she is being held in Tehran. We are calling for information from the Iranian authorities, access to Dorothy, and for her immediate release. We have had no contact with Dorothy since she left Doha on 29 April and we are deeply concerned for her welfare." A statement from Dorothy’s family said: "Dorothy is a dearly loved daughter, sister and fiancée, and a committed journalist. It is now nearly two weeks since she was detained. We appeal once again for Dorothy to be released immediately and returned to us." Dorothy is an experienced journalist who joined Al Jazeera in 2010. She graduated from the University of British Columbia, obtained a masters from Arizona University, and held journalism fellowships at both Harvard and Cambridge. She previously worked as a columnist and feature writer for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Al Jazeera is continuing to call for information about the whereabouts of Dorothy Parvaz, access to Dorothy, and for her immediate release. Though Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's foreign minister, has said he has no information about her location, Al Jazeera has requested details from a number of ministries in Tehran in order to secure Dorothy's release. Mr Salehi had previously called on Syria's government to look into her case. For a complete list of Dorothy's feature articles on Al Jazeera, view her profile.

Updates

Iranian minister: No information on reporter Al Jazeera calls for reporter's release after Iranian foreign minister says he has no information about her whereabouts. Last Modified: 14 May 2011 12:18 GMT

Al Jazeera journalist missing for two weeks Al Jazeera's Dorothy Parvaz, missing since arriving in Damascus two weeks ago, is now understood to be in Tehran. Last Modified: 13 May 2011 10:21 GMT

Missing Al Jazeera reporter deported to Iran Al Jazeera's Dorothy Parvaz, missing since arriving in Damascus almost two weeks ago, is now understood to be in Tehran. Last Modified: 11 May 2011 13:46 GMT

Syria confirms journalist detained Al Jazeera calls for immediate release of journalist Dorothy Parvaz, held since arriving in Damascus on Friday. Last Modified: 04 May 2011 21:22 GMT

Family calls for journalist's release The fiance of Dorothy Parvaz, an Al Jazeera journalist held in Syria, appeals for her to be set free. Last Modified: 04 May 2011 20:52 GMT

Reactions to the detention of Dorothy Parvaz Press freedom advocacy groups and several governments speak out over case. Last Modified: 04 May 2011 18:37 GMT

Iran presses Syria over missing journalist Foreign minister "demands" Syrian government look into case of missing Al Jazeera English journalist Dorothy Parvaz. Last Modified: 02 May 2011 21:06 GMT

Al Jazeera journalist missing in Syria Al Jazeera demands information from Syria on whereabouts of journalist missing since arriving in Damascus on Friday. Last Modified: 02 May 2011 12:05 GMT

Syria Live Blog -14MAI11 from AL JAZEERA

AL JAZEERA continues to offer the most comprehensive coverage of the nonviolent protest for freedom and democracy in Syria and throughout the Maghreb, Middle East, Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf. Over 850 Syrians have died in their struggle for a free, democratic government in Syria, we need to be aware of their struggle and sacrifice and support them by pressuring our governments to take nonviolent action to isolate, economically and politically, the assad government until the Syrian people's demands are met. Click the header or the link on this blog to go to the Al Jazeera Syria blog...

By Al Jazeera Staff in

Middle East

on May 13th, 2011.

A member of Syrian community protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Bucharest, Romania's capital [AFP]

Show oldest updates on top

Thousands continue to take to the streets across Syria, despite reform pledges by President Bashar al-Assad. Activists say hundreds have been killed by security forces. We bring you the latest news from various sources.

Al Jazeera is not responsible for content derived from external sites.

Blog: Apr18 - Apr19 - Apr20 - Apr21 - Apr22 - Apr23 - Apr24 - Apr25 - Apr26 - Apr27 - Apr28 - Apr29 - Apr30 - May 1 -May 2 - May 5 - May 6 - May 7 - May 8 - May 9 - May 10 - May 11 - May 12 - May 13

Syria Spotlight - Free Dorothy Parvaz - Timeline: Bashar al-Assad in power

All times given are local (GMT+3)

• 3:20pm

  More on the violence in Talkalakh:
  The Associated Press reports that the wounded who crossed the border in Lebanon included a 26-year-old man with a gunshot wound in his back, and two women, also suffering from bullet wounds.
  The man who died in hospital was 30 years old.
  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, meanwhile, says that Syrian lawyer and human rights activist Catherine al-Talli was held by the authorities on Friday, while poet Ali Dirback was also held in the coastal city of Baniyas for reading a poem during an anti-government protest.
• 2:53pm

  One of the people who was injured when the military opened fire on people fleeing the Syrian city of Talkalakh has died of his wounds in a northern Lebanon hospital, our correspondent reports. That brings the death toll from that shooting to four.
• 2:46pm

  These videos, posted by the Shaam News Network to YouTube, show anti-government demonstrations that took place on Friday in the cities of Hama and Maart respectively.
  
  
  
  
• 1:22pm

  
  
  [image tweeted from @ermac]
• 1:17pm

  
  

  
  

  Syrian army personnel are now being deployed in the eastern city of Talkalakh, activists said after officials said troops and tanks were being pulled out of Banias and Deraa.

  These military operations aim to quell anti-government protests that began on March 15.

  Security barriers were set up at the entrances of the Talkalakh and heavy gunfire was heard, according to activists' accounts.

  Security forces deployed in surrounding villages as well. 

  
  
• 1:04pm

  
  More than 8,000 people are attending the funeral in Homs of one of three protesters killed by security forces there yesterday, an eyewitness told al-Jazeera.
  

  Mourners for Fouad al Rajoub gathered around one o’clock near Bab al-Dreib, said the eyewitness, and had begun making their way through the city chanting for the martyr and for an end to the siege on Homs, Banias and Deraa.

  The eyewitness said that due to the size of the procession the military had removed and relocated some of the checkpoints it has established throughout the city since mass anti-regime protests erupted there last month.

  “Everything is peaceful now but we will be passing government buildings and I fear the snipers will open fire on us,” he said.

  
  
• 12:52pm

  
  Lebanese security officials say scores of Syrians have crossed into Lebanon fleeing violence in their country. Cracks of gunfire in the western Syrian town of Talkalakh could be heard on the Lebanese side of the border.
  Syrians crossing that border say three have been killed and 19 others are wounded. Some of the wounded have been taken by the Lebanese Red Cross to hospitals.
  The shooting in Talkalakh comes a day after Syrian security forces opened fire on thousands of protesters, killing at least six people.
  Human rights groups say more than 775 people have been killed since the start of the protest movement in Syria in mid-March. 
• 12:13pm

  In an interview published in al-Hayat, a pan-Arab newspaper, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister has said: "The use of tanks to respond to the demands of the people for more freedoms and democracy is unacceptable."
  
  
• 11:44am

  These stills from YouTube videos have been distibuted by AFP, and show anti-government demonstrations that took place on Friday. The first is of a rally in Kafr Nabl, where protesters are carrying a sign praising international news networks for their coverage of the protests in Syria.
  
  The second shows demonstrators in Hama tearing down a poster of President al-Assad from outside the town hall.
  
• 11:33am

  Syrians living in Athens, Greece, held protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule on Friday. Here are some photographs of those protests [Photo credits: AFP]
  
  
  
  
  
• 10:15am

  This video, also released by the Syrian Free Press group, purports to show a demonstration held last night in the town of Ibta. Demonstrators are chanting "The people want the fall of the regime!", and "Exit! Exit!".
  
• 10:09am

  This video, released by the Syrian Free Press group, purports to show a demonstration against the government held yesterday in Daraa.
  
• 8:40am

  The United States has expressed "outrage" over Syria's violent crackdown on pro-reform protests, adding that the US is continuing to look for ways to apply pressure on the Syrian government.
  "We continue to look at ways to apply pressure on the Syrian regime," Mark Toner, the spokesman for the US state department, told reporters.
  "We continue to express clearly our consternation about the ongoing violence there and continue to make the point that the window is narrowing for the Syrian government to make any attempt to address the legitimate aspirations of its people," he said.
  Responding to a question, Toner said that "consternation" may not have been "strong enough" a term, and said instead that it was the US' "outrage" that was being expressed.
• 5:50am

  Up to 850 Syrians may have been killed in a two-month military crackdown and thousands of demonstrators have been arrested, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday.
  
  Rupert Colville, spokesman of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:
  

  We again call on the government to exercise restraint, to cease use of force and mass arrests to silence opponents.

• 5:10am

  Britain summoned the Syrian ambassador on Friday in coordination with other EU nations to warn of fresh sanctions against the regime if it fails to stop a crackdown on protesters.
  
  In a statement, the Foreign Office said it had "called in the Syrian Ambassador Dr Sami Khiyami... to express the UK's strong concerns about the ongoing situation in Syria”.
  
  Last month Britain withdrew Khiyami's invitation to the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine.
• 4:10am

  The following picture was tweeted by @alkh81:
• 3:50am

  Three US senators have urged President Barack Obama to expand sanctions against top Syrian officials including President Bashar al-Assad and call for him to quit power.
  
  "At this critical moment, we believe President Obama's leadership is vitally important," said Republican Senators John McCain and Marco Rubio, as well as Independent Senator Joe Lieberman.
  
  The senators denounced Assad's "ferocious and desperate attempt" to quell anti-government protests and urged Obama to say that his Syrian counterpart "has lost the legitimacy to lead, and that it is time for him and his regime to go."
• 3:30am

  The United States on Friday expressed its "outrage" over Syria's crackdown on protests, saying chances were narrowing for Damascus to respond to its people's demands for democracy.
  
  Mark Toner, State Department spokesman, said:
  

  We continue to look at ways to apply pressure on the Syrian regime. We continue to express clearly our consternation about the ongoing violence there and continue to make the point that the window is narrowing for the Syrian government to make any attempt to address the legitimate aspirations of its people.

• 2:30am

  Syria said on Friday it would hold a "national dialogue" after two months of protests against President Bashar al-Assad and a military crackdown that has killed hundreds of people.
  Adnan Hasan Mahmoud, information minister, said in a televised remark:
  

  President Assad has met with local dignitaries and heard their views and opinions regarding what is happening in Syria. The coming days will witness a national and comprehensive dialogue in all the Syrian provinces.

• 12:30am

  Syrian security forces and snipers opened fire on thousands of protesters on Friday, killing at least six people as mass arrests and heavy security kept crowds below previous levels seen during the two-month uprising against President Bashar Assad, activists have told Associated Press news agency.
  
  A leading human rights activist said three people were killed in Homs, two in Damascus and one in a village outside Deraa, the southern city where the revolt began two months ago. He asked that his name not be used for fear of government reprisal.
  
  An eyewitness told AP by telephone from Homs:
  

  At first they opened fire in the air, but the people continued on their way, and then they shot directly into the crowd.