In his presentation titled “The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Syria” Dr. Safi talked about Post-colonial Syria, early democratic experience, Baath Regime, Bashar Assad era, Syrian uprising Syrian reform movement and also the Syrian American Council (SAC) of which he is the Chairman, he concluded his speech with the Resolution that SAC took and its focus. The presentation of  Dr. Safi continued as below:

Posst Colonial Syria

The search for identity, freedom, and Security in the post colonial state

–     Identity: Arabism

–     Freedom: Democracy and Multi-party system

–     Security: Strong military

Early Democratic Experience

•      From the beginning, the political elites chose a democratic government as political framework to build new Syria.

•      The parliament was established in 1932 under the French colonial authority, initially to provide legitimacy the French mandate, but was quickly (1936) controlled by patriotic leaders.

•      The parliament was not the strongest institution that was established under the French mandate. Soon after independence (1947), the military took charge of Syrian politics (1949) .

Early Syrian Democracy and Society (1947-1958)

•      High illiteracy particularly in the countryside

•      Socially fragmented

•      Focus on local interests

•      Absence of true democratic culture

Government

•      Non-sectarian and inclusive (secular)

•      Parochial and Patronizing

Ba’ath Regime

•      Baath party took over in 1963 and consolidated its power in 1968 by purging the military of non-Baath officers.

•      Assad coup in 1970 led to the political structure that has strong hold on Syria today.

•      The country is ruled by a president with absolute power rooted in Syrian security forces.

•      PM and cabinet are in charge of day to day affairs of the country.

Security System

•      The security system that run the country today was consolidated in 1982, after the Assad regime defeated the Ikhwan insurrection.

•      The president run the country through four independent security organizations. Security chiefs report directly to the president.

•      The military is controlled through a network of regime loyalists backed by special forces.

Bashar Assad’s Regime

•      The first four years of Bashar Assad rule gave great hope of a new era in Syria founded on democracy and economic development.

•      By 2005 hope was replaced with disappointment as the regime resorted to force to end the Damascus Spring.

•      Despite of promises of openness, Bashar Assad’s rule resulted in further concentration of power and wealth in fewer hands.

Bashar Assad Regime

•      Corruption, was already in place under Hafez Assad, is now rampant and entrenched.

•      Economic openness and privatization was used to transfer state-controlled industry to small group of people through a system of cronyism.

•      Individuals like Rami Makhlouf, Dhul Hima, and Mohammad Hamsho are given access to major economic sectors and projects using intimidation and bribery.

•      This period also witnessed the increase power and influence of security chiefs in Syria, part curly those who belong to the Assad and Makhlouf families.

The Winds of Freedom

•      The revolts that began in Tunisia late 2010 sparked the drive to change in several Arab countries, including Syria.

•      Although expected, the democratic movement in Syria took many by surprise, not least Syrian intellectuals and opposition leaders.

•      Young local leaders have taken the initiative, forcing everybody into a catch-up game.

The Syrian Uprising

•      Initially spontaneous and decentralized

•      Inclusive and respectful of Syrian diversity

•      Pragmatic and non-ideological

•      Peaceful, democratic, and committed to a national government based on the rule of law.

•      Lacks a clear strategy for transition

•      Led by idealist intellectuals with little political experience.

The Syrian Reform Movement

Major players

•      Syrian revolution committee (local)

•      Kurdish parties (exile)

•      Muslim Brotherhood (exile)

•      Religious leaders

•      Intellectuals and journalists (Damascus Declaration) – (local/exile)

•      Syrian Expatriates

Syrian American Council (SAC)

•      Establish in October 2005 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

•      Made of professionals, academics, and business leaders.

•      Has currently 10 chapters across the US.

•      Governed by elected board, and committed to advancing democracy, human rights, and economic development in Syria.

Syrian America Council

•      Tried until five months ago to open channels of communication and persuade Syrian officials to embark on a democratization process.

•      Has taken a decision to support the democratic reform in Syria.

•      It was informally represented in Antalya meeting. This meeting gave us the first peek into the poor organization of the opposition.

SAC Resolution (May 24, 2011)

 SAC Current Focus

•      Organize the 70,000 strong Syrian American community

•      Pressure US administration and congress to take strong diplomatic and legal action against the regime.

•      Coordinate with other Syria organizations and opposition to take legal action in ICC.

•      Isolate the regime and declare it illegitimate.

WE COMMEND President Obama and the U.S. Congress for their stance in support of the Syrian people and we urge them to swiftly follow through with all necessary means to:

•       Stop the killing of Syrians by the Syrian regime’s security apparatus and Al-Shabeeha,

•      Delegitimize the Syrian regime;

•      Continue to work with the European Union, the government of Turkey, the Arab League and other allies and partners to pressure the UN Security Council to take the steps necessary to charge Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle for crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court of Justice; and

•      Pressure the Syrian government to open its borders to the UN Human Rights Committee to investigate conditions in the besieged cities and human rights abuses reported throughout the country.