Syrian-Canadian activists reportedly threatened

Members of Canada’s Syrian community are saying they have been threatened and intimidated, the CBC reports. A woman interviewed by CBC Radio’s The Current on Wednesday said she and other Syrian-Canadians activists received threats after posting videos and information concerning the violent crackdown by President Assad’s forces on protesters in Syria on Facebook. She received a message from someone she knew warning her it was in her “best interests” to stop “because Syria and our leader, Bashir Assad, will remain strong, regardless of whether you or others accept it.” Other activists say they have received similar threats and fear for the well-being of relatives living in Syria. The Harper government has said it will investigate the claims. “I have not heard these accusations,” said Prime Minister Harper in Hamilton, Ont., “but we certainly would be prepared to look into them and ensure that the Syrian government is not taking any such actions within this country.” Canada has imposed travel and economic sanctions on Syrian government officials. 1,600 civilians have died in the violence so far, with Syrian forces stepping up attacks on anti-government strongholds in the cities of Hama and Damascus.

CBC News