New unrest has been reported in Syria as thousands of people gather after Friday prayers to protest against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
There are unconfirmed reports of security forces firing near protesters in Homs and in Hama, as well as tear gas being used on crowds near Damascus.
In concessions to protesters on Thursday, President Assad formally ended five decades of emergency rule. Human rights groups say more than 200 people have died in weeks of protests.
A spokesman for Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Mr Assad "has the opportunity to prove his intentions by allowing (Friday's) protests to proceed without violent repression."
"The reforms will only be meaningful if Syria's security services stop shooting, detaining, and torturing protesters," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director.
The Syrian government says it is listening to protesters' demands and President Assad is pushing through a programme of reforms. Thursday's concessions included abolishing state security courts and allowing peaceful protests.
