Syrian Democracy Campaigner Confused By SA Vote Against Sanctions

Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi

Last night I had a chat with one of the Syrian campaigners who have been thrown behind bars for participating in anti-government protests as people in several countries in the Middle East continue to fight for their liberation. The campaigner has been released and says they often have to use pseudonyms as many blog and speak to foreign media which has been banned from operating in Syria. Campaigners also say they often worry about the safety of those close to them.

The campaigner, who cannot be named as they fear for family members’ safety, expressed shock at South Africa’s decision to oppose sanctions against Syria in a United Nations Security Council meeting. “I don’t understand how the country of Nelson Mandela can be supporting what is going on,” they said.

South Africa, India and Brazil were outvoted during the meeting which resulted in Russia and China using their veto power to stop the sanctions. Syrian Foreign Minister, Wallid Muallem, has thanked these countries – including South Africa – for resisting what his terms western efforts to condemn Syria and issue these sanctions.

The move was also criticised by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe who visited South Africa saying the ruling  African National Congress (ANC) called on the international community for support against apartheid.

"How could the South Africans turn a blind eye to the distress of the Syrians?" he said recenlty at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg. 

"How could they remain impassive in the face of the crimes against humanity that are being committed in Syria? The Syrian people also have a right to freedom and democracy." 

The campaigner I spoke to said they are grateful for the support they receive from the Arab League, Turkey and the United States of America. “We have never been fans of the United States of America because of their support for Israel over Palestine, but for this, we are thankful,” they say.

They also know their struggle is different from that of Tunisia and Egypt as there are ethnic divisions in the country. “Of course I would say al-Assad still has a lot of support. Many from his ethnic group – I would even say as high as 30% support him.”

Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics, Fawaz Gerges, who recently gave an interview to ABC’s Late Line also believes that the decisions taken by some countries show support for the Syrian regime.

“[Syria] has Russia, it has China, it has South Africa, India and Brazil,” Gerges told the television station.

The country is ruled by President Basar al-Assad who succeeded his father when he died in 2000 after a 29 year stay in power. Al-Assad has been elected twice without an opposition and has been accused of gross human rights violations.

The Arab League has requested the feuding parties to make an effort to have some dialogue, but this might be hard for the Syrian government.

“It has to pull out all the troops from Syrian streets, it has to release all political prisoners, it has to fully engage the opposition,” said Gerges. Something he believes will not happen as that will be the beginning of the end for al-Assad’s regime.

Since the start of the protests in March 3 500 have been killed as al-Assad’s government cracks down on those opposing him. The campaigner told me they believe this is much worse than the 1994 genocide in Rwanda which resulted in an estimated 800 000 people dead.

The Arab League had given the government until Sunday to stop the massacre of the people, but on Saturday about 17 more were reported to have been killed.

Some countries have spoken of an international intervention and al-Assad said he is prepared to die for his country should that happen.

"I assure you that Syria will not bow down and that it will continue to resist the pressure being imposed on it," al-Assad told London’s Sunday Times.

The protester said they understand the importance of South Africa in its region and believes that condemnation of the regime would be important for their struggle for freedom and liberation. They say despite its absence though they are optimistic it will all be over soon.