Recently, I've come across a lot of negative comments in regards to the Syrian uprising in relation to the current events and about the opposition so the commenter(s) consequently support the Syrian regime.
The Syrian regime are thugs using barbaric treatments and methods to suppress the country into submission. The Syrian opposition is far from perfect, but in a society where opposition has been outlawed for decades forcing all 'underground' and into exile, how can they expect a great opposition? I wish we had a more organised opposition; we have the SNC and the NNC, we have the Syrian Free Army...how can we have a right answer on how to plan our path to freedom? There will always be different opinions, which should be allowed and there will always be different options but to side with a regime because they don't like a particular opposition is wrong. It's not the case of choosing between one or the other but instead we should be saying no to human rights abuse and that's it!
Another thing lately, is that we're hearing of sectarian violence, that there are certain people who are promoting sectarian violence (killings/rape etc.) against Alawies. I'm not sure how true these reports are, whether these stories are generated by the government to gain support but nonetheless these acts are wrong and shouldn't undermine the efforts of Syrian activists trying to promote freedom and peace. These acts are of course not accepted by anyone at all and are wrong, and we should all condone all acts completely. Such people should be punished, without question. But again why should we accept a brutal regime because of a few (if they exist) that cause trouble? It's not like the regime has caught these people and punished them to actually gain any support.
As a society and a community, we should seek to remove the regime. That's a starting point for our future Syria. They're not the only problems in our society but they do symbolise corruption, a lack of respect towards its people and are a disease to our country. With a true leadership which should hopefully evolve over the next few years, we should strive to improve our community and ultimately our society. We can not improve a country if we can not improve ourselves (but that doesn't mean we accept Bashar and his thugs for the time being; we deserve better). It will be hard but its necessary whilst we improve our country but with a good leadership that will happen and we will obtain leaders over the next years that we will be proud of. We will not get perfect leaders straight away but the aim of this uprising is to rid the country of a brutal dictatorship and allow ourselves a new beginning where we can build up our country from scratch. To build a new constitution and new laws and generate great leaders.
No one is asking to accept the SNC as the next government of Syria for the next 40 years. No-one should stay that long at all. But we should be allowed an opportunity to try to improve the country and to move forwards. Without opportunities how do we improve? We should all stay united and contribute our efforts in order to bring about change for the better.
We are not born knowing everything...we learn to stand before we walk and we learn to walk before we run. Our first step is to remove the Ba'ath party and the steps after that include altering constitutions and laws as well as working on our 'opposition' further. We will get there in baby steps but don't side with a regime because you want it all happen at once; it won't. Bashar al Assad will not give the country its reforms; he speaks of empty promises. Parliament isn't to be inherited within the family and until that is fixed, how can we eliminate corruption from the country?
Doesn't it seem that these people who complain are only people of talk? They never seem to actively engage or help with the uprising in a positive manner, which is a shame.
Showing posts with label Ba'ath Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ba'ath Party. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
You're more important than politics
For countless days, I've been monitoring the events in Syria, only wishing I could take part. Though as time wore on, I received numerous comments along the lines of "Your life is more important than politics, it's a good thing you're not actively protesting" and "Why should you care? It's not your problem to fix."
My life is more important than politics?
What about the 3,000 + who have died so far in Syria? What about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of those who have or are currently detained by the Syrian regime, who are subject to extreme torture during every day they are detained? It's OK that they are subjected to that kind of life whilst we sit in our homes unaffected by a cruel regime? Not every single person killed or detained were actively protesting; some were by-standers, in the wrong place at the wrong time, and others were relatives of those involved.
Syria, a population of approximately 23 million, has lived in relative silence for 40 years (too long). Yes I understand that no government is perfect, but that doesn't mean we should stay quiet on a regime that kills its own people and abuses all human rights. I've always despised the American government especially in its foreign policies along with the British such as the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war as well as Guantanamo Bay. I'm sure I would despise many more European governments if I came to research more about them, many of whom are imperialistic and colonial, but at least westerners have more opportunities than those in Syria. Though that doesn't mean we can't take the time to improve each and every one of those countries. I will continue to highlight the abuses of the western governments, so why should I not of the Syrian regime? How can society improve, whichever society it may be, without constant dialogue, without people actively engaging in issues and highlighting abuses? Syrians have never been actively involved in politics; only a small portion of the population are and they are often subject to harassment and detainment. Politics affects every part of people's lives.
Human rights abuses were evident for a long time in Syria where there's a long history of arbitrary arrest, unfair trials and prolonged detentions. At least five detainees died in custody in 2010, with no serious investigations into their deaths by the authorities. That's just in 2010. Kurds also face constant discrimination, when also in 2010, security forces shot at a crowd of Kurds celebrating the Kurdish New Year in the city of Raqqa, in northern Syria, in order to disperse them where at least one was killed. It wasn't until April of this year (2011) where Kurds were allowed to obtain citizenship; a demand they've been requesting for many years but was only granted after nationwide protests took place across Syria as a way to end the protests. I could go on for ages writing about the abuses many Syrians have faced, ranging decades back such as the Tadmor prison massacre and the Hama massacre to name a couple though I'm sure there's ample sites that could advance your knowledge on Syrian history.
Corruption in Syria is very high. It's estimated that Rami Makhlouf, Bashar al-Assad's maternal cousin, controls approximately 60% of Syria's economy. Makhlouf's large network of regional business partners provides Bashar al-Assad with enormous leverage at home and provides the regime with a layer of protection against outside Arab pressures; an asset that Bashar wouldn't want to lose. Many speculate that the Assad family themselves are directly benefited by Rami's ventures by hidden profits being supplied to them, but there's currently no solid evidence to support it. According to the US Department of the Treasury, “Makhlouf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate his business rivals. He employed these techniques when trying to acquire exclusive licenses to represent foreign companies in Syria and to obtain contract awards.” Rami is the very symbol of corruption in Syria.
Assad's regime's main goal is to stay in power. As a result, its interest will never shift to economic growth and development. Syria's culture of corruption inherently blocks meaningful long-term domestic reform. The regime has had years to develop meaningful reforms to help the working and middle class but instead has resorted to superficial gestures of improvement; most state initiatives are Potemkin reform at best, merely façades.
So tell me why Bashar al-Assad should stay in power? Why should the Ba'ath party be the only political party to legally exist in Syria? Why can't a nation be involved in it's politics?
The current regime has no incentive to engage with the opposition. They haven't done so in the past 7 months, nor are they trying to now. Until they engage in dialogue and call back their army and shabeeha, then people will go out to protest. When the regime affects every part of the civilians lives, causing many to be outraged at the lack of opportunities, the lack of money and clear violations of human rights, you expect people to sit back and say thank you?
How can you expect me to sit back whilst all of this is happening?
N.B. If I hear one more person stating that what is happening is an American/British/Israeli/Saudi/Qatari conspiracy where those just mentioned fund armed gangs within Syria, with the aim at destabilising the region, I will literally explode. The Assads haven't done anything good worth mentioning domestically in Syria. The resistance to Israel and America comes from the people, not from a government that doesn't know how to lead a country. Though if that's what you really truly believe, then be it. But for the anti-imperialists, anti-NATO, anti colonialists out there who aren't Syrian, please stay out of it; it really infuriates me to see people who are not directly implicated or involved, who have not been or lived in Syria think they know what they're talking about when they say this is all one big conspiracy in order to help their resistance.
My life is more important than politics?
What about the 3,000 + who have died so far in Syria? What about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of those who have or are currently detained by the Syrian regime, who are subject to extreme torture during every day they are detained? It's OK that they are subjected to that kind of life whilst we sit in our homes unaffected by a cruel regime? Not every single person killed or detained were actively protesting; some were by-standers, in the wrong place at the wrong time, and others were relatives of those involved.
Syria, a population of approximately 23 million, has lived in relative silence for 40 years (too long). Yes I understand that no government is perfect, but that doesn't mean we should stay quiet on a regime that kills its own people and abuses all human rights. I've always despised the American government especially in its foreign policies along with the British such as the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war as well as Guantanamo Bay. I'm sure I would despise many more European governments if I came to research more about them, many of whom are imperialistic and colonial, but at least westerners have more opportunities than those in Syria. Though that doesn't mean we can't take the time to improve each and every one of those countries. I will continue to highlight the abuses of the western governments, so why should I not of the Syrian regime? How can society improve, whichever society it may be, without constant dialogue, without people actively engaging in issues and highlighting abuses? Syrians have never been actively involved in politics; only a small portion of the population are and they are often subject to harassment and detainment. Politics affects every part of people's lives.
Human rights abuses were evident for a long time in Syria where there's a long history of arbitrary arrest, unfair trials and prolonged detentions. At least five detainees died in custody in 2010, with no serious investigations into their deaths by the authorities. That's just in 2010. Kurds also face constant discrimination, when also in 2010, security forces shot at a crowd of Kurds celebrating the Kurdish New Year in the city of Raqqa, in northern Syria, in order to disperse them where at least one was killed. It wasn't until April of this year (2011) where Kurds were allowed to obtain citizenship; a demand they've been requesting for many years but was only granted after nationwide protests took place across Syria as a way to end the protests. I could go on for ages writing about the abuses many Syrians have faced, ranging decades back such as the Tadmor prison massacre and the Hama massacre to name a couple though I'm sure there's ample sites that could advance your knowledge on Syrian history.
Corruption in Syria is very high. It's estimated that Rami Makhlouf, Bashar al-Assad's maternal cousin, controls approximately 60% of Syria's economy. Makhlouf's large network of regional business partners provides Bashar al-Assad with enormous leverage at home and provides the regime with a layer of protection against outside Arab pressures; an asset that Bashar wouldn't want to lose. Many speculate that the Assad family themselves are directly benefited by Rami's ventures by hidden profits being supplied to them, but there's currently no solid evidence to support it. According to the US Department of the Treasury, “Makhlouf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate his business rivals. He employed these techniques when trying to acquire exclusive licenses to represent foreign companies in Syria and to obtain contract awards.” Rami is the very symbol of corruption in Syria.
Assad's regime's main goal is to stay in power. As a result, its interest will never shift to economic growth and development. Syria's culture of corruption inherently blocks meaningful long-term domestic reform. The regime has had years to develop meaningful reforms to help the working and middle class but instead has resorted to superficial gestures of improvement; most state initiatives are Potemkin reform at best, merely façades.
So tell me why Bashar al-Assad should stay in power? Why should the Ba'ath party be the only political party to legally exist in Syria? Why can't a nation be involved in it's politics?
The current regime has no incentive to engage with the opposition. They haven't done so in the past 7 months, nor are they trying to now. Until they engage in dialogue and call back their army and shabeeha, then people will go out to protest. When the regime affects every part of the civilians lives, causing many to be outraged at the lack of opportunities, the lack of money and clear violations of human rights, you expect people to sit back and say thank you?
How can you expect me to sit back whilst all of this is happening?
N.B. If I hear one more person stating that what is happening is an American/British/Israeli/Saudi/Qatari conspiracy where those just mentioned fund armed gangs within Syria, with the aim at destabilising the region, I will literally explode. The Assads haven't done anything good worth mentioning domestically in Syria. The resistance to Israel and America comes from the people, not from a government that doesn't know how to lead a country. Though if that's what you really truly believe, then be it. But for the anti-imperialists, anti-NATO, anti colonialists out there who aren't Syrian, please stay out of it; it really infuriates me to see people who are not directly implicated or involved, who have not been or lived in Syria think they know what they're talking about when they say this is all one big conspiracy in order to help their resistance.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 05, 2011
Syrian Uprising...
For countless hours, I have spent keeping up with the news of the Syrian uprising. Back in March I had a university interview, after which I hoped to then spend 6 months lazing around in Syria, hanging out with the family, teaching English, improving my Arabic and enjoying the lovely weather and country that Syria beholds. Who wouldn't enjoy spending their time in numerous Syrian towns and cities? Though the week of my interview was when the Syrian Uprising began - 15th March 2011 (though to be fair there have been protests in Syria prior to the 15th March, but it really took steam from then onwards).
To start off with, protesters didn't demand or call for the removal of Assad or the Ba'ath party. Demands included the end of emergency laws, the release of political detainees and more political freedom. As time passed, we saw countless human rights abuses and very little reforms made. As a result, protesters began demanding that Bashar should leave "Yalla irhal ya Bashar" as well as demanding the fall of the regime "Sha3ab areed iskat al nizam" (translated appropriately to "The Syrian people demand the toppling of the regime").
Of course there are still genuine pro-regime supporters out there, mainly because they benefit from the regime being there and could also have a lot to lose if they left. Everyone involved with the regime could potentially face punishment if Assad were to fall. Many still claim that what Syria is facing is a conspiracy aimed to destabilise Syria first and then the whole region. They also claim that many of the protesters are armed and are causing all the violence, that the Syrian army is only protecting the Syrian people from "armed gangs" and Islamic extremists. The Syrian regime isn't the only one promoting these claims - Libyan and Bahrani governments use similar tactics to suppress their own protests and uprisings.
I counter these claims stating that so far, the majority of videos coming out from Syria are showing protesters to be peaceful. Protests in a number of regions since the start of the uprising has seen no violence by protesters which a number of videos give testimony to. Syrians, I know and completely trust, who are protesting on a regular basis in Syria are stating that they are peaceful and that are not armed. Many videos do show live fire used by mukhabarat against protesters in a number of places as well as showing graphic videos of dead Syrians at the hands of the mukhabarat, shabiha and army units. Of course there are times, when protesters do avenge the killings; we have seen videos whereby police officers have been beaten and killed in some instances but so far I've found these to be few and very rare. On the whole it is the Syrian regime causing all the violence, bloodshed, civilian casualities and deaths. Of course protesters involved in crimes, should be put to trial and tried justly, but the numbers involved in this category are a very small minority. I find it understandable that protesters would want to avenge the killings, since there's the saying "an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth", but I would rather the Syrian regime be tried in court and each one punished accordingly and I wouldn't want my fellow countrymen to steep down to the regime's level of atrocities.
What the Syrian regime is doing is wrong. It cannot suppress protests with violence. It cannot torture its own civilians, whether men, women or children. It cannot kill its own civilians. How can Syrians justify such horrendous acts of violence against its own people? For this reason alone, Bashar and his regime should go. It doesn't matter whether Bashar al Assad has the full power of the country; the whole Ba'ath party should be dissolved. The Ba'ath party was responsible for many crimes throughout their rule, and will continue to be responsible for many more crimes if they continue to rule. Crimes such as the Hama massacre in 1982 where they took at least 10,000 lives (though numbers are more likely to be over 40,000 since many are still missing and not registered as dead), the Tadmor prison massacre, and the Jisr al-Shughour massacre. Since the Assads began rule, they have detained many Syrians for political reasons and have subjected many of them to torture.
For me, this is the first time I live through and feel the pain of my fellow Syrians. Family members and friends have been through ordeals because of Rifaat and Hafiz al Assad (and now Bashar too); their stories alone send shocks down my spine. Hearing what Syrians currently are experiencing are sending more shivers and shocks down my spine again.
I hope 50 years from now, we will look back in history and see how much we have moved forward; progress which we would never seen under the current party. We do have numerous obstacles along the way, but let's start by removing the Ba'ath party. We need to punish those responsible for crimes against humanity. We need to rid the country of corruption. Day after day, we will continue to make Syria a better country. Let not the excuse of chaos ruin what we could have, and not let chaos become a reality. We owe it to the martyrs. We it owe it every Syrian who risked their lives. We it owe it every Syrian who was detained and tortured just so we can be free from the Ba'ath party and Assad rule, so we see a better future.
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