Fear of "Gentle Revolutionaries"

The Syrian regime has been waging war on the opposition for several weeks in fear that it could endanger the position of President Bashar Al Assad – by supporting Washington in its efforts to effect regime change from outside. Kristin Helberg reports

During the last few weeks, President Bashar Al-Assad has been taking tough action against members of the opposition. His regime is concerned that the USA may try use the home-grown opposition to weaken its claim on power. By Kristin Helberg

image AP — Behind bars: the most energetic and active opposition activists in Syria are currently in prison

Pelican Mourad sits in her office at the Goethe Institute in Damascus, staring off into the space. The 47-year-old, who works as program assistant for the German cultural institute, has just come back from the prison where she was allowed for the first time to visit her husband, Riad Seif, one of the most prominent members of the country's political opposition.

Seif is suffering from prostate cancer, high blood pressure and a clogged coronary artery. Pelican Mourad was permitted to bring him money and medication, but the prison management refused him the change of clothes she had brought with her.

Missing for weeks

Along with Seif, 11 other opposition members have also been arrested in the past few weeks. They were missing for one to one-and-a-half months, detained in a secret service facility. Razan Zeitoune, a female Syrian lawyer, was there when ten of them were led before the examining judge: "I was shocked when I saw them; they were absolutely exhausted, pale and emaciated. They had been beaten and forced to sign statements they had not written."

Zeitoune views the harsh actions of the security forces as a response to the opposition’s latest coup: On December 1 of last year, 163 critics of the regime met at Riad Seif's home to regroup under the Damascus Declaration as a loose alliance of various parties, groups and individuals. Although Seif's apartment is under constant surveillance, probably one of the best-monitored in all of Syria, the opposition members were able to vote undisturbed for a new executive committee, with Riad Seif as chairman.

This was a shock for the secret service, says the 31-year-old lawyer: "They have the feeling that the Damascus Declaration is making major progress, becoming stronger and more effective and reaching more and more people. The regime is alarmed by these developments, which is why it is cracking down so severely. The people who were arrested are not only political leaders, but also the most active and dynamic representatives of the opposition."

Reason behind the charges: contacts

Some of the opposition leaders have close contacts with the USA, says Janbulat Shakai. The Syrian journalist sees this as the main reason behind the arrests. After toppling the regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, Washington could very well try to do the same in Syria by gaining the assistance of the opposition forces.

photo: AP — Riad Seif: In spite of his fragile health, Seif remains an active leader of the Syrian opposition

"The regime fears the opposition not because of its popular support, but because it could rapidly succeed in forging contacts with the USA," Shakai explains. "From the standpoint of the Syrian rulers, this is absolutely unacceptable, which is why they are taking such a hard line against those who would oppose them."

Without the pressure coming from outside, the Syrian opposition would have more latitude to act, the journalist believes. The way he sees it, the meeting on December 1 was deliberately allowed to take place:

"This kind of major event does not happen without the knowledge of the secret service. They wanted to see what the opposition wants, who they are and what they are planning for the future, says Shakai. "The proof is that the arrests began immediately after the meeting. They were thus able to critically weaken the entire opposition."

Calls for release

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, US President George W. Bush and the European Union have already called for the release of the prisoners. In vain, for the 12 activists are still awaiting trial. The public prosecutor accuses them of belonging to a secret organization that aims to change the political and economic system, stir up ethnic revolts and spread misinformation designed to undermine nationalist sentiment.

Attorney Razan Zeitoune is sure that the trial will yield only politically motivated sentences, rather than fair ones.

Kristin Helberg

Translated from the German by Jennifer Taylor

Qantara.de

New Drive against Dissidents
The Greek Tragedy That Is Syria
The appearance of the Lebanese singer Fairuz in Damascus is a political issue. Should one pay the Syrian rulers the honour of singing for them? The controversy plays out against the backdrop of the arrests of prominent Syrian dissidents. Jan Marron with the details

Syria's Role in Mideast Peace
Negotiating with the Pariah
Syria is isolated in the international community. Volker Perthes argues that Damascus could play a constructive role in the Middle Eastern peace process as long as the country's legitimate and illegitimate interests are not confused

Jailed Opposition Activists in Syria
Don't Lock 'em up, Listen to What They Have to Say!
Shortly before President Bashar al Assad's re-election, several prominent critics of his regime were given long prison sentences. With this move, argues Kristin Helberg, the regime in Damascus threw away the chance of involving the country's moderate opposition in a long overdue process of political reform

Interview Ali al-Atassi
"There Is a Need for Pressure from Inside of Syria"
After the withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon many experts assume that the events will have a political impact on Syria. Bernhard Hillenkamp spoke with Mohammad Ali al-Atassi, Syrian civil society activist and journalist of the Lebanese daily "an-Nahar"