Protect Rights Of Syrians

The tendency of political leaders to flee their own countries and the subsequent vandalising of their residents by the public have now become a common picture around the globe. The latest case is that of Bashar Al-Assad, the President of Syria. Post his departure, the war-torn nation has passed through a number of developments. 

Around November, a military group by the name Hayat Tahrin-al Sham (HST) suddenly captured Aleppo, a city in Syria. The group continued capturing other parts of that country, too. But Assad’s military was unable to fend this capture, leading up to his downfall. This caused an end to the Assad family’s 54-year-long control over Syria. After having fled Syria, Assad has reached Russia along with his family members. Being an ally of Syria, Russia has been granted political asylum to the despotic ruler.  

The event has brought a sense of relief among the Syrian population. During Assad’s dictatorial rule, hundreds and thousands of people had been arrested and placed in detention centres, notoriously called the slaughterhouse prison. Multiple videos show men, children and women getting rescued from such prisons by the rebel group. It is said that more than 100 detention centres had been run where human rights were grossly violated.  Many of the Syrians who had been forced to move abroad owing to the civil war are now returning home. Not just this, the HST has been focused on forming an interim government. An interim prime minister has already been appointed to run the war-ravaged country.

HST previously was closely linked with Al-Qaeda, a major Islamist terrorist group. And the HST had taken part in the Syrian civil war, as opposition to Assad’s army.  However, post-2016, the group has severed ties with Al-Qaeda and established itself as a different group focused on bringing reforms to Syria. It promises to ensure the protection of everyone in the country, even those belonging to different religious and ethnic communities. It is still unknown whether this group will keep its promises or offers just a lip service. Whether the government formed under this group will be internationally recognised is an important matter of discussion. 

But more problematic is the emergence of Israel in this scenario. Israel is reported to have already attacked Syria hundreds of times. Israel has also launched military incursions into the buffer zone separating the two countries since 1974. Israel reasons its attack as being a means to eliminate Iranian military targets present in Syria. It is disappointing to see how an already poor and weak nation has become a playground for powerful and militarily well-capacitated countries like Iraq and others to play on. 

The Syrian people have the right to live a dignified, safe and normal life. Their human rights have already been violated to a large extent by their previous leadership and they should now be allowed to live a normal life. Rehabilitation and reconstruction are key priorities. The country will require more than adequate economic resources to head towards development and return to normalcy. But most importantly, the continued attacks and conflicts even after Assad’s downfall will have to be controlled. If the militia is truly honest and shows accountability towards the people and the country, hopefully, the Syrian people will be able to see better days soon.