Sounds of Syria heard from afar

2011 has brought about a new spin of events for the Middle East. Starting with Tunisia, the region has turned into a “domino effect” of unrest. Tunisia was followed by Egypt, and both countries succeeded in removing their dictators from power. The movement spread to Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, and the latest Syria.

Syria has been led by President Bashar Al-Assad for ten years. Bashar succeeded his late father Hafez Al-Assad who ruled Syria for 30 years. Being educated in the West, Bashar Al-Assad seemed like a promising president to rid Syria of the dictatorship of his Father, and apply a more modernized and democratic approach to the country. Contrary to the hopes of his people, Bashar Al-Assad followed the footsteps of his Father. Ironically, he was an eye-doctor yet so blind to the realities and only saw the benefits to his Alawite minority (a sect of Shia Islam) and the middle-upper-class elites of the country; promising reforms to the working and lower class civilians that were repeatedly broken.

The children of Deraa (A Syrian city), inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, wrote on their school walls against the Assad regime. These children were taken by the Syrian forces and tortured brutally to death. Enraged by the act, Syrian civilians took to the streets on March 2011 and engaged in the biggest protests witnessed in Syria for decades insisting on political reform and the restoration of civil rights. The numbers of protesters has been rising ever since, and now they want to see Al-Assad go, and there is no going back.

In response to the protests, Bashar Al-Assad and his regime have fought back against the civilians with military force that consisted of shocking means of torturing children and the elderly, firing against unarmed protesters, and numerous acts of humiliation. Tens of thousands of Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey, and the borders of Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. Al-Assad continues to justify his position by blaming the unrest on conspirators and infiltrators in the country. The Syrian revolution is going on for longer than that of Tunisia and Egypt due to the extreme loyalty and close bonds that Al-Assad has with his military officials.

International pressure on Al-Assad includes the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urging the President “to stop killing people and engage in inclusive dialogue and take bold measures before it is too late". France, along with Germany, will push for stronger sanctions against the Assad regime "who are conducting intolerable and unacceptable actions". Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan delivered a warning letter to Assad, asking him to implement reforms and to fire Bashar’s brother, Maher. Warnings have been issued to Al-Assad from many countries, but stronger pressure on him is still needed!

It seems like there is little one can do from the other side of the globe but the Syrian community of Auckland has not allowed distance to be an obstacle. With many having relatives back home, and not being able to effectively communicate with them due to the Syrian government tapping phone lines and disconnecting the internet, the Syrian members in Auckland continue to demonstrate for the freedom of their people every Saturday from 2 – 3 pm in Aotea Square. The big march down Queen Street is scheduled to be on the 30th of July, 2011, at 2pm starting at the Britomart bus station and participation is strongly encouraged. One of their aims is to correctly educate the public about the real situation in Syria. To date, they have appeared on TV3 News, Bfm Radio, Te Waha Nui, and had a meeting at the Mt. Albert memorial hall with human rights activists, media, MP’s and representative members of parliament. The next public meeting is going to be on the 24th of July, 4pm at the Wesley Community Centre, 740 Sandringham Road. The main aim, however, is to get the New Zealand government to join international pressure to impose sanctions on Al-Assad and his regime, and condemn his acts of violence against humanity. We kindly ask all New Zealanders to step up and take action!

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