Just a few years ago, the Syrian people wanted democracy, social equality and a better quality of life. They revolted against their government, which is ironically led by a president who is a doctor by profession.
Syrian despot received his higher education in London. When he took over as the president of Syria, many around the world expected him to introduce sweeping reforms in his country and to work for the betterment of his people. It was thought that due to Assad’s education background and the time he had spent in the West, he would prove to be very different from his predecessor. It was expected of him to have a better understanding of democracy and liberalism. Being a doctor, he was supposed to be a very compassionate and caring person. Contrary to all expectations, Bashar Assad proved to be a bloodthirsty monster. He proved to be a power hungry man whose sole aim is to remain in power at the expense of his own people. He believes that his presidential palace is worth more than all of the Syria and its people.
At the beginning of the uprising, many had expected Bashar Assad to either take drastic measures to address the problems of the Syrians or to step down like a gentleman respecting the will of the people. Instead, he pushed the country into chaos. He proved to be a selfish and heartless person who is only interested in maintaining his rule in a country whose inhabitants don’t want him to continue as the president. Since the beginning of the popular revolt against Assad, almost every city has been turned into ruins and thousands of Syrians have been killed and many more have been forced to flee their homes seeking refuge in the neighboring countries or in Europe. Thousands of Syrians have been transformed into refugees with uncertain future. Thanks to Assad and his cronies, thousands of Syrians are forced to live at the mercy of others. They are forced to rough it out in foreign lands.
The Syrian refugees are not only hungry and left high and dry to fend for themselves in chilling winters and sultry summers; they are used, abused and very sadly, humiliated at the hands of other people. The Syrians are very proud people but the extreme circumstances are shaping their behavior in their host countries. Unfortunately, some of those posing as innocent refugees are hardened criminals, soldiers of the regime and members of terrorists’ sleeping cells. It is true that there is no excuse for the bad behavior of the few at the beginning of the year but it is a dilemma that the world will be living with for some time. We are talking about millions of refugees scattered in many countries that are different from Syria. Refugees are always subject to the harshest forms of social shocks and adjustments in their daily lives. It is very hard for them to become part of a society that is alien to them and many of them don’t know how long they will be in the host country and whether they are going to become permanent residents or not. In other words, many of them are desperate and scared.
Currently, a conference is being organized to discuss the Syrian issue. Representatives from all Syrian sides will meet but we are looking at a country that lost about quarter of a million people. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura has met Syrian government delegation in Geneva for talks aimed at ending the conflict in Syria. And there was also a meeting with officials from the opposition group. But, at the end of the day, the Syrians don’t need a UN mediator or any other negotiators from anywhere. It is the Syrians who should sit together and decide what is best for their country. Bashar Assad has no place in any future political setup in Syria because he had done so much damage to the country and created a wide gap between its people that it will take decades to reconstruct the country.
Now, it is hard to imagine the kind of lives the Syrians are forced to live as refugees. It is sad to see the Syrian leadership’s willingness to use lethal weapons against its people. Many of the refugees and the internally displaced people are facing all forms of hardships and threats from the government forces, Al-Nusra front, the rebels, Hezbollah and Daesh.
Those forced to flee their country are also facing a tough time because of the changing attitude of Europeans toward them. They are now subject to longer waiting periods and possible deportation. Syria and the Syrians deserve better and it is sad not to see light at the end of the tunnel.
