Syria Clamps Down on Dissent with Beatings and Arrests
THE GUARDIAN: Nervous regime breaks up protests and sends intelligence agents round to warn civil rights activists against taking action

Tensions are mounting in the Syrian capital, Damascus, after the third peaceful demonstration in three weeks was violently dispersed on Wednesday. There are increasing reports of intimidation and blocking of communications by secret services in the wake of violent unrest in neighbouring Arab countries.

Fourteen people were arrested and several people beaten by uniformed and plainclothes police on Tuesday after about 200 staged a peaceful sit-in outside the Libyan embassy to show support for Libya's protesters.

Witnesses said at least two women were among those beaten.

The demonstrators carried placards reading "Freedom for the people" and "Down with Gaddafi", and chanted slogans such as "Traitors are those that beat their people."

Witnesses said authorities warned the group to disperse but they reconvened shortly afterwards in the central neighbouring suburb of Sha'alan. When they tried to march back to the embassy they were met with a heavy police presence.

Several witnesses told the Guardian there were nearly twice as many secret and uniformed police as protesters. Some protesters were punched, kicked and beaten with sticks.

All present had their identities recorded. Fourteen people were detained but later released, Human Rights Watch in Beirut confirmed.

"They hit two girls, I saw them on the ground crying," said a witness who was briefly detained.

"There were so many of them, we didn't know where they all came from." >>> Lauren Williams | Thursday, February 24, 2011

Iran Clamps Down on Neckties for Men: They’re Un-Islamic!
YNET NEWS: Senior customs official says importation of neckties contradicts nature of Iranian culture

Iran's war on neckties: The importation of ties, which "contradict the nature of Iranian culture," must come to an end, a senior Iranian customs official said Thursday.

"We must adopt serious actions in order to put an end to the importation of ties," Iranian Customs Deputy Director Asgar Hamidi was quoted as saying by Iranian news agency Fars. "We must change import laws to that end."

In addition to his customs duties, Hamidi also heads the Iranian program for the "development of culture, modesty, and headdress."

The custom of wearing neckties developed in Iran during the Shah's regime. However, in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution, ties were banned by authorities because they were perceived as a sign of westernization. Since then, senior Iranian officials and government ministry employees have shunned ties.

Notably, volunteers for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard walk the streets with scissors in order to cut ties should they encounter them. Iran’s New Enemy: Imported Ties >>> By Dudi Cohen | May 22, 2008

Hat tip: Dhimmi Watch

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