Is there genocide in Syria?As with many other countries that have experienced genocide in the past, Syria is not exactly a stranger to violence. Political
unrest and tension has plagued Syrian history drawing strength from three opposing ideologies: the ruling Alawite minority, Baathist socialism and the Sunni Muslim majority. The Alawites, including President Bashar al-Assad constitute about 12% of the 23 million Syrians while Sunni Muslims, the opposition’s backbone, make up about 75% of the population. After an attempt to thwart a Sunni Muslim uprising in 1982, the al-Assad regime became increasingly authoritarian, adopting policies of torture and murder to deal with opposition leaders. When the Arab Spring of 2011, which swept authoritarian regimes out of power across North Africa, blew into Syria political tensions were further increased. Pro-democracy protests began in March 2011, but were met with almost immediate attacks by the Government by March 18th. Thousands of protesters marched through Daraa on March 18th to demand the release of 15 boys who had been detained and tortured for writing anti-regime slogans on walls. The protest had been peaceful until the mukhabarat security force opened fire on the protesters, killing at least four people. The incident triggered a wave of protests and uprisings across Syria, most of which were met with violent suppression by the government. This was the beginning of a series of intense crackdowns by the Syrian government. Violent attacks on civilians and protesters by the government have become common over the past year in Syria. By the summer of 2011 thousands of soldiers had defected and took up arms against the government. Today the death toll is estimated to be around 14,000 with thousands more who have fled to neighboring countries. In the rising tensions of the violence the government has attempted to cut off the internet, exclude reporters, and even forbid UN investigations to take place. All the while Assad had denied involvement in such killings; however, evidence is now conclusive that the al-Assad regime is committing intentional crimes against humanity The UN has attempted to take action against President Assad, but many efforts had provided little results. For example, in February 2012, the Arab League proposed a UN Security Council resolution calling for the resignation of President Assad and supporting an Arab League peace plan. Unfortunately, both Russia and China vetoed the resolution. Russia had pledged to continue supplying weapons to the al-Assad regime. However, the United States and countries including Syria’s neighbors, Jordan and Turkey have condemned President Assad. |
|
Genocide Watch Holds the al-Assad Regime Responsible for Committing:
indiscriminant, widespread attacks on civilians, arbitrary detention of thousands in the
political opposition, rape of detainees, widespread torture- including torture and murder
of children- and denial of food, medicines and other essential
resources to civilians.
political opposition, rape of detainees, widespread torture- including torture and murder
of children- and denial of food, medicines and other essential
resources to civilians.
Early Warning Signs of Genocide in Syria according to Genocidewatch.org
Prior unpunished genocidal massacres, such as those perpetrated by Assad's father in Hama in the 1920's
Rule by a minority sect - the Alawite sect that supports Assad - with an exclusionary ideology
Systematic human rights violations
Fear by the ruling elite that any compromise will mean total loss of their power
Deliberate targetting of particular groups - Sunni Muslims and army defectors
Denial by the Syruan government of committing crimes against humanity, blaming "foreign-inspired terrorist gangs" for the armed conflict
Rule by a minority sect - the Alawite sect that supports Assad - with an exclusionary ideology
Systematic human rights violations
Fear by the ruling elite that any compromise will mean total loss of their power
Deliberate targetting of particular groups - Sunni Muslims and army defectors
Denial by the Syruan government of committing crimes against humanity, blaming "foreign-inspired terrorist gangs" for the armed conflict
Genocide Watch issued a Genocide Emergency Alert Recommending:
The Arab League and Turkey should quickly create an Islamic Court to try Assad and other Syrian officials for crimes against
humanity under Islamic law
The Arab League, Turkey, European Union, US and other nations should impose targeted sanctions against financial
accounts, visas, and businesses owned by top Syrian officials
Arab and NATO nations should offer to cooperate with Russia to air lift and ship in humanitarian and medical relief supplies to
all parts of Syria
The UN General Assembly should pass another resolution demanding full protected access for UN and international aid
workers and journalists to all areas in Syria
Arab League and Turkish armed forces should support Syrian Army leaders who are planning to overthrow the al-Assad
regime from within with as little bloodshed as possible
humanity under Islamic law
The Arab League, Turkey, European Union, US and other nations should impose targeted sanctions against financial
accounts, visas, and businesses owned by top Syrian officials
Arab and NATO nations should offer to cooperate with Russia to air lift and ship in humanitarian and medical relief supplies to
all parts of Syria
The UN General Assembly should pass another resolution demanding full protected access for UN and international aid
workers and journalists to all areas in Syria
Arab League and Turkish armed forces should support Syrian Army leaders who are planning to overthrow the al-Assad
regime from within with as little bloodshed as possible