The Syrian Dilemma: In the Grip of the Assad Dictatorship

Before the Muslim countries can blame Israel they have to take a long look at themselves. They have kept the Trans-Jodanians in proverty, non citizenship and depression. It is time for the Muslims to accept these people and absorb them into the general population.

The Syrian Dilemma: In the Grip of the Assad Dictatorship

For the last 45 years the Assad run dictatorship of Syria has ruled Syria with an iron clad grip. The discriminatory policies and actions embraced by this dictatorship are one of the driving forces behind the continuing multi-faceted apartheid in the Arab world. A striking example is the recent uprisings and protests against the Assad regime. Up until mid July, the 2011 protests have resulted in over 1400 civilian deaths (Arabia MSN, 2011). Recently, 100’s more have been murdered in the city of Hama and the port city of Latakia.
The policies and decisions taken against Syrian minorities and ethnic groups have brought the injustices of the regime to light. It is well documented that Kurds are persecuted in Turkey. Less well know is that the Kurds are vehemently discriminated against in Syria as well. Syria has an “Arabization policy” which restricts Kurds in the practice of their customs. The Kurdish language, holidays, marriage and right to organization are all effected by these restrictions. In 1962 the Syrian government initially stripped citizenship or denied citizenship to over one hundred thousand Kurds (HRW, 1996). This effectively left these Kurds stateless with no claim to another nationality. This discriminatory measure was echoed through the Assad regime in 2008 with decree 49 which dispossessed Kurds of their lands in the claimed “Arab Belt” (KurdWatch.org, 2010). This policy bolsters the government backed discrimination against minorities and non-Syrian populations.
The Palestinian population of Syria is another group adversely effected by the prejudiced policies of the Assad dictatorship. Not only are they restricted in their entrepreneurial choices, housing and religious freedoms but they are prohibited from being granted Syrian citizenship and are forced to remain “stateless.” Despite the regime’s attempts to legitimize these actions this policy is one of racism and a form of cultural segregation. The fact that Syrian leadership has set criteria for this group to claim citizenship not only obstructs their path to freedom it bars them from their basic right to equal dignity. As the Assad family throne gets handed down the negative treatment of Palestinians and other groups has only increased from the dictatorship’s harsh policies. The Syrian government chooses to perpetuate the status of “refugee” for these people instead of offering them a path to better their lives. Palestinians are not only refused citizenship the Syrian regime prohibits these “non-Syrians” from being autonomous leaving them completely un-governed. (UNHCR, 2008)

Apartheid is alive and well in the Arab World and particularly in Syria. Many are now calling for the Syrian dictatorship to be brought to justice. The purpose of the Arab spring is to encourage the blossoming of clear and peaceful democracy upon nations which have suffered from despotic regimes. The efforts of the Syrian people to overthrow the Assad regime should be welcomed and supported by all those who wish to see justice, freedom and peace in the Middle East.
Michael Haddad, Guest Contributer.
KurdWatch.org. (2010, August 10). Kurdistan report: decree 49 — dispossession of the Kurdish population?. Retrieved from https://www.newroz.com/en/kurdistan/346239/report-decree-49-dispossession-kurdish-population
HRW. (1996). Syria: the silenced Kurds. Human Rights Watch, 8(4). Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1996/Syria.htm
Arabia MSN. (2011). Syrian army readies operations near iraq border: report. Retrieved from http://arabia.msn.com/News/MiddleEast/youm7/2011/July/7588658.aspx
UNHCR, UN Refugee agency. (2008, December 19). Campaign to change unfair citizenship law continues. Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/category,COI,IWPR,,SYR,4959de2a1e,0.html