Syria - Gang Attacks Peaceful Demonstrators...

(...) Increased pressure by the authorities to restrict any form of public gathering has come as groups have emerged on Facebook urging people in Syria to protest on February 4 and 5 to "end the state of emergency in Syria and end corruption." A state of emergency has remained in place in Syria since 1963.
Syria, as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is required under article 21 to recognize and protect the right to peaceful assembly. Restrictions on this right can only be imposed by clear laws, for strictly limited reasons, such as public safety, and only if proportionate, respecting the underlying right. Syria should also protect peaceful assemblies from disruption by third parties. (...)

The article:
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/02/03/syria-gang-attacks-peaceful-demonstrators-police-look

Human Rights in Syria:
http://www.hrw.org/en/middle-eastn-africa/syria
http://www.hrw.org/en/world-report-2011/syria