Bashar Elsbihi*
Pursuing immediate democratic reforms in Syria seems to be a task that is left to few courageous and diverse numbers of Syrian ex-patriots who have made it their goal to see that a new democratic government is established in the country.
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Yet today we are witnessing the transformation of the Arab Middle-East from Tyrannical Authoritarianism to what is now termed as An Upgraded Arab Authoritarianism. A condition where current kings and Presidents have adopted as means to counter the efforts of the West in democratizing the region and led by the United States and its European partners and supported by Arab democrats to bring about political reforms in the Arab world.
However, despite the well organized and systematic approach of the regime in Syria to counter any opposition movements inside or outside the borders, few voices have begun to make their mark on the opposition stage and seem to be steadily gaining in popularity. Syrian opposition members from all over the world have gathered this past September in Berlin for the General Conference of the National Salvation Front in Syria. A group lead by former Syrian Vice President Abdulhalim Khaddam and the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood branch in Syria Ali Saderddin Albayanooni. The Conference participants discussed the nature of the oppressive regime in Damascus and ways to bring about a peaceful change in open forum and issued their vision for the Future of a Democratic Syria.
Yet, many other Syrians inside and outside the country seem to be sitting on the fence awaiting the outcome of the work of those brave ones who have chosen to sacrifice their personal security and voiced out their opposition to the regime despite its well known ruthless retribution against them or members of their families.
Here, one must ask why the people of Syria don’t respond to those calling for democratic reforms. Have the Syrian people become accustomed to dictatorship and tyranny as a way of life? Or do Syrians value freedom and democracy less than other people around the globe?
We can understand the reluctance on the part of the people in Syria to challenge authority and demand immediate reforms to their government as solely based on fear of persecution from the well established machination of oppression by the government. But this only explains the lack of viable home-grown opposition groups inside the country. What about the rest of Syrians abroad especially those living in the West? Why do we find them less eager to participate in political activities which if not change can bring about the foundation for a change? There are many talented and qualified individuals living in the West that can form the nucleus for the birth of a movement that can trigger or inspire change within the country. Yet we find those individuals unwilling as much for fear of reprisal by the government on their family members inside the country. A legitimate concern, yet it does not stop at this. When approached by members of opposition groups abroad for anonyms help to the opposition, Syrians living outside the country have shown an incredible sense of abstention to political participation in the affairs of their country. A unique condition which plaques most Arabs living outside their respective countries. How do we explain this passive attitude towards political action among Syrians abroad? What are the causes for such self-restraint?
Every Syrian and every Arab for that matter living abroad have shown profound understanding to the problem of authoritarianism and dictatorship in the Arab world, yet many choose to rationalize their indisposition to a simple answer, it makes no difference if I get involved or not, nothing will change in our country, a prevalent attitude among the majority of Syrians.
A belief that such a futile struggle in bringing about a democratic change to their beloved Syria is doomed to failure.
Have Syrians been terrorized beyond repair to the point of complete surrender? Have we Syrians forgotten our sense of pride and free spirits that we have succumbed to the point of unconditional submission?
In his famous speech “I’ve been to the mountain top” on April 3rd 1968, the great civil rights leader and advocate of non-violence Martin Luther King Jr. said, “In the human rights revolution, if something isn’t done and done in a hurry to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed”. And he continues, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”.
I venture to say the same as Mr. King and take it one more step up.
Let us be brave and walk together to the mountain top for there we will see the promised land of freedom from tyranny and despotism. Let us unite, for where there is unity a strength is found and fear is defeated. Let us embrace our pride as free Syrians working together to cleanse our country from monocracy and totalitarianism. Let us remember that Syria is the land of the free and the home of the brave and let us show the world that we are the mariners of our vessels and the captains of our ships.
* Vice President _ Alenfetah Party of Syria
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