Kamis, 23 Februari 2012

Syrian Uprising

Hello world!!!

Hope your country prosperous, safe and calm so you can do your activities without feeling anxious, different with this country “Syria”. Until this time, after I finish my writing, maybe Syrian still in horrible sketch. Yes, this country attract whole world’s attention as widespread of disruption in some cities like Damascus, Hama, Daraa, Qamishi, Homs, Allepo, and others.  Thousand people died in this bloody crackdown and many other injured.

Actually, why does this ongoing upheaval hit this country?

Syrian uprising becomes the part of Arab Spring in last 2010, most of citizen fed up with exacerbated political and economical condition.  They want topple the Bashar al Assad dictatorship regime, and ending the corrupt and ravage constitutional system.  The main baground behind this chaos are:
a.  Authoritarian system.
In 1971, Hafez al Assad (Alawite sect), the former of Defense Minister, obtained the prestigious seat in Syrian government as president. He pursued the inheriting precede dictatorship regime. His initiate policy was popular among his citizen but then erased by political repression. The most unforgettable moment was “Hama Massacre”. In 2000, after he died, the authority ceded to his son Bashar al Assad, the now Syria's strongest man. Like father, like son, Bashar doing the same mistakes like his father did, the Homs shelling remind us the pain memory of Hama massacre.
b.      Absence of effective constitution.
c.        Government corruption.
d.      High unemployment.
e.       Triggered by the other Arab countries.

What are the purposes of Syrian revolution?

a.      Ending Bashar Al Assad regime.
For more than decade, Bashar al Assad rules this country continuing 30 years his father leadership. The parliament altered the constitution, reducing the mandatory minimum age of president from 40 to 34, so Bashar Al Assad could acquire the throne for this disguise republican country.
b.      Democratic reform
Democratic offer more access for political freedom, something that is expensive in Syria, admitting the human right, and wider participation for citizen.
c.        Regime change.
New laws had been introduced by Assad regime, but political system is still stagnant. The superiority of Baath Party hampers the other minority party's role. In the economic sector Assad revealed reform on more market oriented controlled by the state. The growing rate of unemployment and poverty raise the civilian eagerness to hasten overthrowing the regime.
d.      Expanse civil right
Although this regime is not as harsh as previous but, civil right still remain big issue. Wider admission is needed in the vacuum presence of civilian in decision making and many other fields.
e.       Recognition of Kurdish right
Kurd is the largest Non Arab ethnic minority. In Syria, this ethnic becomes one of the targets of systemic discrimination for example arbitrary denial of estimated 300.000 citizenship Syrian who wasborn as Kurdish, banning of teaching Kurdish in school, etc.
f.        Abolition of Supreme State Security Court
g.       Lifting of emergency law
Emergency rule was applied in 1963. “Syria's government approved lifting the country's nearly 50-year-old state of emergency Tuesday to meet a key demand of anti-government protesters, but opposition leaders dismissed it as an attempt by President Bashar Assad to claim reforms but maintain his hard-line rule” this is the information from CBS News.
Syrian uprising colored by variety form of upheaval like hunger strike, mutiny, insurgent, hactivism, civil resistance, demonstration, general strike, insurgency, sectarian violence, mutiny, sit in. The initiate moment signed by Self-immolation (setting oneself on fire) done by Hasan Ali Akleh from Al-Hasakah same way with Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia.


In early February 2012, UN proposed Security Council vetoed by Russia and doubled by China’s veto. Both of this country makes US and other Western Countries anger. Last year Russia abstains in UN Libya’s draft and there was no veto so NATO could enter in Benghazi, and join war in Bani Walid, Khadafy’s stronghold. Learning from Libya, China and Russia prefer diplomacy way because the presence of the external military was not so effective as the are still a lot of number civilian victims.

Officials’ senior from Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Mikhail Fradkov went to Damascus discussing about dialogue with the opposition and offering referendum on new constitution.  The result of discussion that Russian called productive remains controversial because the violence in Homs and other cities by Syrian military still continued.

In 26 Feb Syria will hold constitution referendum. The step supported by China, Russia, and Iran, but conversely, considered as “window dressing” by western newsletter.

The recent story that I get is the dead of two journalists in Syria shelling on Homs they are British Marie Colvin and French Remi Ochlik.

All over the world send condolence for all Syrian war victims and families. Hope that Syrian revolution will be success and get better life condition.


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Sabtu, 18 Februari 2012

Syria

Hello friends this is my first article, I choose Syria to learn deeper. Why Syria?? It’s because of I’m curious about Bashar Al Assad, Homs  violence,  Hama massacre, why Russia n China vetoed UN proposed Security Council, and everything about war within Syria. The domino effect of Arabs spring has drawn Syria into the bloody crackdown on political protest, and this makes the involvement of the other countries in giving solution. Very interest conflict to discuss, isn’t it? But, before we discuss further the current upheaval in Syria, better for us knowing past enchanting history of this country.

Short history
Syria (Indonesians  pronounce “Suriah”) is Western Asia country bordering Lebanon and Mediterranean Sea to the west,  Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Most of Syrians are Sunny, the other are Alawi, Christian, and Druze. The most ancient civilization on the earth was founded here, Syria was the center of the Neolithic culture where agriculture and cattle breeding were introduced first time.
During the second millennium BC, Syria was occupied by CanaanitesPhoenicians, and Arameans successively. Then, The Persian authority spread until Southwest Asia including Syria. Syria's large and prosperous population made it was one of the most important of the Roman provinces, particularly during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In its Christian era, Syrian had contributed Roman Emperors, they are Alexander Severus, Elagabalus, and Philip the Arab (Marcus Julius Philippus).
The Islamic era started at  AD 640, signed by conquest of Khalid Ibn al-Walid through led the Rashidun Army. In the midle of the 7th century, empire ruled by Umayyad Dynasty and the capital city located in Damascus.  We can take a good lesson of the high toleration of the religious congregation living at this time.
The golden era of this caliphate collapsed of its internal problem like totalitarianism, corruption, and also the movement of oppressed and miserable group.  When Abbasid Dynasty took control, the capital city was moved to Bagdad. Syrian mujahedeen born in crusade time, Syria also fought with Shia extremist called Assasins and engaged in the battle with Mongolian  which then defeated by Mamluks.
In 1921, Syria was occupied by French troops.  According to League Nation, this area was taken under French mandate. Insurgents against the occupation emerged conducted by Sultan Al Atrash in 1925 in Druze Mountain, in August fighting erupted in Damascus, Homs, and Hama. In 1940, Francein fell during WW II, and then Syria was controlled by Vichy France. Syria proclaimed its independent in 17 April 1946.
Government
Type: Republic under authoritarian military-dominate Arab socialist Baath Party regime since March 1963. The other source said Syria is totalitarian dictatorship, secular socialist with Islam as the majority religion. Branches of government:
a.      Executive : President, two vice president, prime minister, and council of minister (cabinet)
b.      Legislative: unicameral People's Council, no multiparty election.
c.        Judicial : Supreme Constitutional Court, the High Judicial Council, the Court of Cassation, and the Security Courts
Government branches are monitored by Baath Party, which the constitution vasts the power
Syria’s legislation based on Islamic jurisprudence and the judicial system consist of Islam, Ottoman, and French laws element.
The court has three levels: courts of first instance, courts of appeals, and the constitutional court, the highest tribunal.
Politic
The Arab Socialist Baath Party has dominant role in the leadership function and it provides broad power to president who is elected by referendum and reigns for 7 years. The President is the Secretary-General of the party, and the leader of the National Progressive Front governing coalition has authority to appoint ministers, to declare war and states of emergency, to issue laws (which, except in the case of emergency, require ratification by the People's Council), to declare amnesty, to amend the constitution, and to appoint civil servants and military personnel.
External conflict
1948 : Syria Involved in Arab-Israeli War, deterring the establishment of Israel State and the notable conflict is the seizure of Golan Height,  Syrian stronghold.
1956 : Syria support Egypt in Suez Crisis by merging of the two states, creating United Arab Republic until 28 September 1961.
1967 : Engaged in tragic "six days war" (5 June 1967 – 10 June 1967) with Israel.
1973 : Yom Kippur War
1976 : In Lebanese Civil War, Syria attempted to control Lebanon. Criminal cases like the political figures assassination of Rafik HaririKamal Jumblat and Bachir Gemayel were donated by Syrian forces and intelligence. Many said that Syrian existence in Lebanon like occupation. Its presence in Lebanon ended in 2005 by troop’s withdrawal.
2004 : Adoption of the Syria Accountability Act by the House of Representatives International Relations committee as impact of US sanction to stop strong relationship with Hamas and Hezbollah, left Lebanon, to terminate Syria’s allegation of  WMDs, to stop Syria’s illegal oil importation from Iraq, to cease the illegal shipment of military item to anti-US forces in Iraq.
2008 : Open talk to Israel to discuss the fate of Golan Heights, the main obstacle of the both relation, now this area still under Israel state and there hasn’t been further solution.
Ok, friends.,, this is only short information about Syria as the preface knowing further events happen in Syria now. My next writing will talk about Syrian uprising recently., So, let’s discuss it!!!! ^^


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