A/HRC/18/53 Annex VII Chronology Chronology of the events in Syria from 15 March, 2011 until 20 July, 2011: 15 March – The “Day of Dignity”: Dozens of protesters convene in Damascus and Aleppo. Activists call for the abolition of the state of emergency, in existence since 1963, the implementation of reforms and the release of political prisoners. 23 March –The Syrian president dismisses the Governor of Dar’a against the backdrop of the latest protests in the city. 24 March – The Syrian president orders the creation of a committee to raise living standards and explores the lifting of the emergency law. 25 March – Friday of Glory (‫)ﺟﻤﻌﺔ اﻟﻌﺰة‬: thousands participate in demonstrations in Dar’a during a funeral procession. 31 March –The Syrian President orders an investigation into the recent killings in Dar’a and the establishment of a panel to examine the nationalization of Syrian Kurds. 1 April – “Friday of Martyrs” ( ‫)ﺟﻤﻌﺔ اﻟﺸﻬﺪاء‬: reports indicate that Dar’a is isolated by security forces and the army. 12 April – Banias is reported to be “under siege” by security forces. Electricity and phone lines are cut off and food shortages are reported. April 16: The Syrian President gives a televised speech pledging to lift the emergency law and instate further reforms. 21 April: A number of presidential decrees are issued lifting the emergency law, abolishing the Higher State Security Court and regulating the right to peaceful assembly. 25 April – The army deploys to Da’ra, where electricity and water are reportedly cut off and medical supplies and blood stocks are running low. 28 April – 233 members of Syria’s ruling Baath party in Dar’a announce their resignation in protest over the deadly crackdown on protesters. The UN Security Council fails to agree on a statement condemning the violence in Syria. 29 April – “Friday of Rage” (‫)ﺟﻤﻌﺔ اﻟﻐﻀﺐ‬: the US imposes a series of new sanctions on Syria's intelligence agency and two relatives of President Assad. The Human Rights Council convenes a Special Session and adopts resolution S-16/1 on the situation in Syria where the High Commissioner also calls for the dispatch of an OHCHR Fact Finding mission to the country. 6 May – “Friday of Defiance” (‫)ﺟﻤﻌﺔ اﻟﺘﺤﺪي‬: thousands of protesters gather in many cities including Banias, Homs, Edleb, al-Qamishli and the Damascus suburbs of Zabadani and Saqba. 10 May – The European Union imposes sanctions (including asset freezes, an arms embargo and travel bans) on Syria, naming 13 high-ranking officials on its list. Syria renounces its candidacy for a seat in the Human Rights Council. 118