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Dubai:Thursday, November 22, 2001
The Damascus Spring ends
Damascus | By Sami Moubayed | 22-11-2001
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In August 2001, regime authorities in Syria began a crackdown on
political dissidents
- the first of its kind under the Bashar Al Assad presidency.
Spearheading an anti-regime movement, a group of outspoken
parliamentarians, intellectuals, and left-wing activists petitioned
the president to lift martial
law (imposed on Syria since 1963), issue a general amnesty, allow
for political
pluralism, issue a new constitution, and liberalise the stagnate
economy.
Reportedly, the activists were responding to a call made by the new
president
in July 2000 asking to hear "the opinion and the opinion of the
other." Since
coming to power, the young Assad had allowed more room for
political discussions,
encouraged freedom of speech, re-instated non-governmental newspapers, and eased
censorship on the visual and written media. More reform was on the way, he promised,
yet asked the people to support him since he did not hold "a magic wand" that
could turn conditions overnight.
Observers described him as "the Attaturk of modern Syria." On all accounts he
was highly popular with all. The opposition, more so than any time before, supported
the new leader.
In February 2001, however, the regime's old-guard, men brought to power by the
late Hafez Al Assad in the 1970s, decided on striking back. An alliance between
the reformist Bashar and the "opposition" threatened their very political existence.
Intellectual forums were shut down, un-official political movements were terminated,
and several activists were brought in for questioning.
The opposition, having gained momentum, refused to abide by orders and continued
to speak out against the "outdated order" and demand changes. On August 9, Damascus
MP Maamoun Al Homsi was arrested at his office for speaking out against Syria's
security apparatus.
An independent politician, Homsi had issued a 10-point programme asking for
a lifting of martial law, an end to arbitrary arrests, greater respect for the
constitution. He demanded that authorities allow parliamentarians to voice their
independent views, and asked that the economic monopoly practiced "by regime
officials and their children" cease.
He was arrested and charged with defying state orders and insulting the country's
"executive, legislative, and judiciary branches." He was also accused of evading
$1 million worth of taxes.
On September 6, Riad Sayf, another outspoken deputy, was locked up on the charges
of violating the constitution. A popular statesman in his native Damascus, Sayf
had practiced opposition in a very polite manner during the elder Assad's own
lifetime. When Assad died in June 2000, he emerged as a leading advocate of
civic society, demanding compensation for 38 years of socialist rule, and calling
out for political pluralism.
In February 2000, he even challenged the ruling Baath Party and set up a party
of his own, the Movement for Social Peace - yet authorities were quick in baring
all of its activities. Both men are currently facing trial today, running the
high risk of a life sentence behind bars.
On October 30, Maamoun Al Homsi, 54, was escorted from his cell at the Adra
Prison in suburb Damascus to a courtroom in the capital - accompanied by 30-armed
police officers. He boldly spoke out: "I repeat my 10-point demands made earlier.
I did not violate the constitution." While being escorted off the podium, he
shouted saying: "I am in support of President Bashar Al Assad (while making
no reference to Assad's father)." On November 13, Homsi's second hearing took
place.
Hundreds of supporters were present, holding back traffic before the Damascus
Palace of Justice, chanting slogans in favour of the arrested MP.
Homsi looked confident, entering court in a black business suite, with a Syrian
flag draped around his shoulder. Prior to the hearing, his brother distributed
a statement he had prepared from behind bars saying: "Nobody owns this country
and nobody owns its resources." It also reminded Assad that, during his
swearing-in-ceremony
as president one year ago, he had vowed to uphold the constitution. "Yet this
constitution is currently being violated," Homsi wrote.
The constitution reads: "Freedom of speech is sacred and guaranteed by the state."
The "selfish violators" Homsi added, "were often the President's lackeys." Alluding
to the old guard, he pointed out that, "they are hated by the people." "Have
they actually read the constitution?" he asked.
Homsi reminded his listeners that these were the same people behind the case
of Mahmoud Zoubi, the former Syrian Prime Minister who committed suicide in
May 2000 after being charged with corruption.
This case "was humiliating for Syria," said Homsi, adding that the constitution
that ostensibly being protected "was written by the blood of our leaders, like
the late President Shukri Kuwatly and Prime Minister Fares Khoury." Homsi made
passing reference to Assad's father, the late President Hafez Assad, saying
that he had "led Syria during difficult times in its struggle with Israel."
Overshadowed
The mention of the both former leaders, who were at political odds with the
ruling Baath Party, raised eyebrows in official circles. When the judge silenced
him Homsi snapped: "I have spent four months in jail and I believe I am entitled
to four minutes of speaking. This is not justice. You are standing in the way
of our rights - and nobody gave you that authority." While escorted out of his
cell, Homsi was chanting: "Long live Syria, long live freedom and justice."
The following day, Riad Sayf was escorted to court in a similar fashion. The
courtroom was filled, however, with family members, friends, and seven diplomats
who attended. Envoys from the U.S., Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium and
Germany were present. The EU, having filed an official complaint to Syria in
September 2001 over the arrest of Sayf, declared that it was "very concerned"
over his trial and issue of political freedoms in Syria.
During Sayf's first hearing, which took place in October 2001, the press, was
less visible since coinciding with the ordeal - perhaps deliberately, was the
stormy press conference of Bashar Al Assad with Tony Blair, taking place at
another part of town. News of "Assad scorning Blair" made headlines in the Western
world - and Sayf's trial received no coverage.
Sayf's defence was even more eloquent than that of Homsi. He denied accusations
of trying to topple the constitution and create sectarian conflicts in Syria.
"I am certain that he who wrote and filed the accusations against me is himself,
convinced of their falsehood."
The 55-year old deputy added, "I want a fundamental and not general explanation
as to why I am here." He continued, "I am a deputy in the Syrian Parliament.
I performed my duties as a deputy, yet the existing regime in Syria does not
accept any opposition or argument other than its own."
He wrapped up reminding the judge; "I did not violate the constitution. I am
here because I demanded a break of the political, cultural, economic, social,
and media monopoly in Syria."
During his speech, he was interrupted several times by the judge, yet insisted
on continuing - in a raised voice at times.
During the second hearing, Sayf's massive audience was kept in waiting for 5
hours. He entered a packed courtroom, receiving a standing ovation from well
wishers. Like a movie star, he waved to his audience as clapping increased.
When asked about his delay, he said, "That's what the movie director wants!"
Damascus waits for the verdicts of both men. According to Syria's criminal law,
they could receive a sentence that varies from 5-years to life in prison.
Meanwhile, preparations are being made for the trial of other political activists,
university professor Aref Dalilah, and Communist Party leader Riad al-Turk.
The latter, aged 71, was arrested in September 2001 for speaking out openly
against the regime of the late Assad and calling it, "economic, political, and
social stagnation that some people call stability."
Having spent 18 years in prison for defying the elder Assad, Turk was released
in 1998 - apparently under Bashar's instigation. Today, he was been re-arrested,
facing a sentence that varies between 5 and 51-years in prison. Turk's case
has raised eyebrows throughout the world - with human rights groups demanding
his release. Following his arrest on September 1, he suffered a stroke in prison
and is in a deteriorating condition.
The regime mocked his anti-Assad activity in an editorial of the state run daily
Tishreen asking: "How could someone who is half dead defy the regime?" Perhaps
the only salvation one gets from the events in Damascus is a petition presented
to President Bashar by independent MP Munzer Mousilli. In a courageous step
taken on November 3, the 70-year old deputy petitioned the President to release
the accused, labelling their arrest "un-constitutional."
Independent judiciary
Mousilli sent a similar letter to Master Speaker Abdul Quader Quaddura, who
is widely believed to have co-orchestrated the arrest of Homsi and Sayf, both
of whom had given him headaches in Parliament.
The MP, a former Baathist who had served as Bureau Chief for ex-Syrian President
Amin Al Hafez (1963-1966) reminded the Baath Party Constitution, claiming that
it guaranteed freedom of speech. He also stated that Syria's judiciary was
independent,
and that the detention of any citizen should be based on legal and not political
clauses.
The arrest of Sayf and Homsi, he added, had been political, because it was issued
by Interior Minister Nabil Al Khattib and not the Syrian courts. To date, authorities
have not responded to Mousilli's call. The veteran Baathist, it must be remembered,
had spoken out in June 2000, following Assad's passing, claiming that a
constitutional
amendment to enable President Bashar's assumption of power had to be made with
proper documentation.
He reminded Quaddura that no documents have yet been presented, and
pointed
out that a change could not be made if the papers are not
finalised. Back then,
he had been silenced by his fellow MPs, and the Master Speaker
himself who shouted:
"Democracy obliges you to stop speaking."
The political ordeal of Sayf and Homsi is likely to close with long-
term prison
sentences for all of the accused. Yet, observers foresee that a
presidential
pardon, expected on March 8 (the date of the Baath Party
Revolution), will set
them free. Until then, a massive audience on Syrian intellectuals,
political
activists, and interested citizens hold their breath to see how the
Damascus
trials will wrap up.
One thing is almost certain, however, that the Spring of Damascus, as
the intellectuals called their latest movement, has come to a
grinding halt. Authorities claim
that the halt is temporary - and promise that a more promising
Damascus Spring
is in the horizon. Only time can prove them right.
Sami Moubayed is a Syrian political analyst.
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