PROTESTS IN SYRIA

That this House regrets the recent shooting of more than 40 people in Deraa by Syrian government forces; notes that the dictator Mr Assad runs one of the most repressive and brutal regimes in the Middle East, with a history of arresting school children for writing anti-regime slogans on walls; believes that Britain and the free world must back pro-democracy movements in Syria and should not be deterred by the regime's close links with Iran; further believes that a free economy, and an open society, are the right of every human on Earth not simply those who are lucky enough to be born in the West; and therefore calls on the Government to apply pressure to Damascus and to back pro-democracy movements in Syria.