Syrian Revolution Digest – Tuesday 20 November 2012

Stop Holding Your Peace!

Syrian Revolution Digest – November 20, 2012 

As Islamists try to assert their vision or Syria, be it as an Islamic State or a state where Sharia is King, the battle of ideas needs to be joined by the secular opposition. Even if we continue to speak past each other in the early phases, it is important that we begin exploring visions for the future of Syria in order to find some common ground at some point: without this common ground, there could be no Syria. The revolution and the violent crackdown it elicited from the Assad regime present an existential challenge not only to different groups in the country, but to the country itself. This kind of challenge cannot be overcome by guns alone. We need to negotiate new terms for a new state. After 20 months of bloodshed, it’s unforgiveable that opposition groups continue to shy away from this.

Today’s Death Toll: 122 (including 2 women and 2 children)
52 in Damascus and suburbs (including 10 martyrs from Daraya)
28 in Aleppo
10 in Idlib
9 in Raqqah
8 in Lattakia
5 in Homs
3 in Deir Ezzor
1 in Hasakeh
1 in Daraa

Points of Random Shelling: 204
69 by mortar shelling
109 by artillery
26 by rockets
10 by jets
7 by barrel bombs

Clashes:  114

Developments: Rebels raided the Police Academy in Khan Al-Assal in Aleppo, liberated checkpoints in Salah Eldin sports complex as well as the checkpoints along the Daraa highway across from Mahje City, and blocked the regime army’s attempts to storm Eastern Ghouta (LCC).

 

News

Syria conflict: UK recognises opposition, says William Hague

Mortars hit Syria information ministry, clashes erupt in capital

Turkey agrees Syria missile defense with NATO members

IDF jeep hit by stray bullets from Syria; no injuries

Kurdish militiamen, rebels maintain truce in northern Syria

Udall: get over Benghazi, focus on Syria

Syria Kurdish leader rejects new opposition coalition

Syria rebels set up own intelligence service Free Syrian army form its the creation of an intelligence unit that serve the rebel forces against the Basahr al-Assad security agencies

Aleppo rebels retract rejection of coalition Commanders in Aleppo voice their support to Syrian National Coalition but call for greater representation in it.

 

Special Reports

Lt. Col. Eddie Boxx, USAF: Responding to Assad’s Use of Airpower in Syria
One recently discussed option — a creative, ground-based approach using Patriot missile batteries — could work if integrated with three key U.S. aircraft: the E-3 AWACS, RC-135 Rivet Joint, and E-8 JSTARS. These airborne “eyes and ears,” which were pivotal to the success of no-fly missions in Libya, Bosnia, and Iraq, would operate outside of Syrian air defense coverage. Patriot missile units placed in Turkey and Jordan could reach into Syria and give the FSA a protected arc some 40-50 miles from the borders. The FSA already controls most of the areas within this hypothetical arc, and the no-fly zone would be formed along currently defended boundaries where the opposition is most active

Syria’s Spray-Can Revolution
Seeing Syria’s children as passive victims of a tyrannical regime… underestimates their role in the revolt. If they’ve been victims, they’ve also been protagonists. Think back to how all this began… This isn’t been a samizdat revolution, sparked by epistles from dissident intellectuals. It was started by the spray cans of schoolchildren, and by other young people who then turned to Facebook and YouTube to get the message out.

In Syria, An Act Of Reconciliation Stirs Fierce Debate
The man at the center is Ahmad Munir Muhammed, the governor of Homs, who has long been known as a loyalist of embattled President Bashar Assad. However, Muhammed made an official visit to Tel Kalakh, where the majority of neighborhoods are controlled by the rebels… The governor was quoted as saying he was “putting an end to Syrian bloodshed” and would take similar steps in all the towns under his authority… The governor “shook hands with murderers,” screamed the pro-government media, accusing him of nothing less than embracing al-Qaida in Syria. He “surrendered” Tel Kalakh, according to those who consider any recognition of the Sunni rebels an existential danger to Assad’s rule and to the surrounding Alawite villages. The reaction shows the difficulty of any negotiated settlement to end the crisis.

Syria’s growing refugee crisis
With no end in sight to the crisis in Syria, refugees are crossing the border into neighbouring countries in increasing numbers. More than 100,000 Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey – some leaving all their possessions behind. But the threat from the violence in Syria remains close.

Syrian rebels put choke hold on government supply lines
The Free Syrian Army has captured several critical areas from the government this week, curtailing delivery of supplies to those they are battling for control of Aleppo.

Unveiled Syrian Facebook post stirs women’s rights debate
Among the dozens of Facebook groups spawned by the Syrian uprising, a page supporting women’s rights has suddenly received a wave of attention, because of an image posted there by one of its followers. The picture was of 21-year-old Dana Bakdounis, without the veil she had grown up wearing – and it polarised opinion.

The Spillover Effect

In Syria, a rare Chinese foray into foreign policy
This is what happens in a G-Zero world – a world without any specific country or bloc of countries in charge… Americans feel that the issue doesn’t affect them enough to intervene. Europeans, as a Union, don’t seem to be particularly interested, even if some smaller countries are. And with those powers on the sidelines, suddenly the Chinese have a much bigger problem – a civil war that could metastasize into regional instability. The Chinese have far too much at stake in Iraq and Iran for that to happen: 11 percent of China’s oil imports come from Iran, and it is on track to be the chief importer of Iraqi oil by 2030… That China is wading into diplomacy here does not mean it will replace the United States in negotiations. But it does mean that the world is in transition – what was once America’s domain is now no one’s.

Lebanon banks can absorb Syria damage: Blom
Syria’s civil war has shrunk the operations of Lebanese bank affiliates operating there, but the parent banks are coping with the damage thanks to careful provisioning, a senior Lebanese banker said.

The EU Must Proscribe and Sanction Hezbollah Over Syria
An open letter signed by Syrian and European activists and sponsored by the Henry Jackson Society.

Coverage: Syrian dissidents call for Europe to cut off Hezbollah

Signatories: Akil Hashem, Brig Gen (Ret.), Syrian Army; Ammar Abdulhamid, dissident, writer; Khawla Yusuf, dissident, writer; Nada Kiwan, medical doctor, activist Farha Barzai, activist; Amer al-­‐Sadeq, Representative, Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union; Helen Abduldayem, activist for the Syrian Opposition and nursery school in Homs; Nadia Nashawi, Syrian opposition activist; Mouna Akil Hashem, Syrian opposition activist; Hamza al-­‐Fahker, journalist, Syrian opposition activist; Mahmoud Elzour, Syrian rebel; Ahmad Rahban, Communications Manager, Strategic Research & Communications Centre; Khaled El‐Ekhteyar, journalist; Mr. Mohanad Mahdi, Professional Engineer; Mr. Tom Fala Activist; Ms. Noura Almasri Syrian American activist; Mr. Osama Nahas, M.D.; Ms. Hanne Groenligen Grass Roots Activist and humanist; Mr. Bradford E. Helms, semi-­‐retired; Human Rights activist for Syria; Mr. Bashar Alawad, M.D.”

Follow this link to register for FDD’s Washington Forum 2012 “Dictators & Dissidents”

Clarifications:

The leader of the Kurdish group, PYD, the Syrian branch of the PKK, rejected today the recently created National Coalition. This is to be expected, of course. The PYD was not invited to take part in the Coalition, despite being the Kurdish political group with the largest popular support in the country. Its nationalist agenda and connections to the PKK were too problematic for inclusion at this stage. Any engagement between the Coalition and the PYD will likely take place through the Kurdish national Council, which has three seats in the Coalition, including one the position of Vice-President.

For its part, Al-Tawheed Brigade in Aleppo withdrew on Monday its rejection of the Coalitionhttp://youtu.be/-akrPtGngvA , and its call for the establishment of an Islamic State in Syria. But they insist on greater representation in the Coalition and on having Islam be the main source for legislation in any future state. In decades gone by, having such a constitutional clause amounted to nothing more than a token gesture to the Islamists and was never upheld. But with Islamist feeling so empowered today, having such a clause could be quite problematic this time around, especially with an emphasis on the “the” part in sentence “the main source for legislation.” Moreover, the retraction by Al-Tawheed still leaves Jabhatl Al-Nusra, Ahrar AlSham and Ahrar Souria and a smaller assortment of groups from around the country on board of a call for an Islamic State. The issue will be a difficult one for Syrian rebels, activists and opposition groups to handle down the road.

 

Video Highlights

Rebels take control of the Air Defense Unit near Bouaida, Damascus http://youtu.be/WEmy8GZ773s

Random shelling leaves buildings on fire in Moadamia, Damascus http://youtu.be/3LZeICPaNHwBabbilahttp://youtu.be/nwO3ymQsjXMDaraya was pounded as well http://youtu.be/BFYB7GCjmvwMass Burials http://youtu.be/Ct-V_A3OJdM Jets pounded Douma as well http://youtu.be/M7rAAhl6mjo

The town of Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor Province is bombarded by MiGs http://youtu.be/TlriwbCKU0IHelicopter gunships are involved as well http://youtu.be/CMmvyq48aTs Local in state of panichttp://youtu.be/YFifFNwKpOA , http://youtu.be/jKksBwrwNT4 Meanwhile, rebels and loyalists clash inDeir Ezzor Cityhttp://youtu.be/Gz-s5xCmIss

Loyalist troops pound rebel strongholds in Aleppo city: Salaheddinehttp://youtu.be/woLdZ5nH0XsRebels in action http://youtu.be/kpi1qi42nic , http://youtu.be/ImO9GuDrNnc

Aerial bombardment of Manbij, Aleppo Province http://youtu.be/-HoBqF98mbM paves the way for clashes with rebels on the ground http://youtu.be/9MTUPRqw5d0 , http://youtu.be/ZtWo7njhcwM

Rebels and loyalists clash in the mountains of Lattakia http://youtu.be/oM0Kdylrf_A ,http://youtu.be/fRgXw5zbqyM

Unions Cause Complete Shutdown In Argentina

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BEUNOS AIRES, Argentina – Work stoppage in Argentina has slowed the already ailing country to a standstill. A general strike organized by the two biggest trade unions brought the Latin American countries economic grain exports to a halt as demonstrators protested Argentina’s economic policies. The ‘General Confederation of Labor of the Argentine Republic’ (CGT) and ‘ Argentine Workers’ Central Union’ (CTA) organized a general strike that shut down public transportation and forced many businesses to shut down.

Streets remain empty after unions block roads during strike. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

The ailing country has been in economic trouble for some time. In 2001 the country defaulted on a number of loan repayments, and according to the World Bank, Argentina’s economic growth has slowed from 9% in 2011 to just 2.2% in 2012.

Beyond protesting the increase in violence and crime the trade unions are demanding a decrease in income taxes to combat the high inflation they are now feeling at home. Officially, Argentina has an annual inflation of 10%, but some economists estimate that number to be closer to 24%.

Farming unions have joined the protests, led by Hugo Moyao, who is demanding lower taxes for workers hit hard by the un-tethered inflation.  Mayano has vowed to keep pressing the demands of the labor unions, telling reporters “The silence of the streets, the absence of people in the streets, in the shops, in the businesses – this is the voice that the government must hear.” The farming industry has been hit by unprecedented 35% export tax on Argentina’s most important export, soybean and soybean oil. Soybean oil is one of the main components to bio-fuel.

While President Cristina Fernandez has refused to back down, calling the strikers “extortionists” her opposition has latched on to the civil discourse. Many have hailed as the beginning of the end. Citing that she may have lost the streets, and despite decreasing the voting age from 18 to 16, have stated that they will do everything they can to stop her from seeking re-election.

The general strike has not been the completely non-violent demonstration that the trade unionists claim. Burned tires block roads, and protesters have used the chaos to vandalize businesses that stayed open during the work stoppages. A block away from the presidential palace, tourist attractions were forced to close after opportunists vandalized them.

While leaders of the strike are hopeful that the general strike will strengthen their position, President Fernandez has refused to give ground, citing the need to keep taxes were they are to payback the growing debt she inherited from previous administrations.

For further information, please see:

Los Andes – The Unions Expect Cristina Replies – 22 November 2012

Terra – Cristina Fernandez: “Impossible” to Stop Paying Debts Argentina – 22 November 2012

BBC – Argentina: Strike Paralyses Buenos Aires And Other Cities – 20 November 2012

Reuters – Argentina’s Fernandez Faces Her First General Strike – 20 November 2012

Hamas Official Condemns Killing of six ‘Spies’

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza – Hamas’ deputy leader, Mousa Abu Marzook, has publicly criticized the executions of six individuals who were allegedly “caught red-handed” in collaborating with Israel on Tuesday. Marzook declared his disdain for the killings through a post on the popular social media website, Facebook.

The dead body of the sixth collaborator was dragged through the streets of Gaza. (Photo Courtesy of the Daily Mail)

Marzook was not against the killing of the six individuals as much as he was promoting the use of law and expressing anger towards vigilantism. He stated that, “[w]e endorse punishments to spies and especially to those who took part in the death of our commander and undermine our resistance but they should only be punished by law.”

He added that, “[t]he way these collaborators were killed and the images after their death are totally unacceptable and those responsible must be indicted.”

Ultimately, it was Hamas’ military wing, Izzedine al-Qassam, who claimed responsibility for the executions. It was said that the six men were caught using hi-tech equipment to film Palestinian military positions. They were alleged to have given Israel intelligence regarding Palestinian fighters and rocket launching locations.

The six informants were not shot on sight by the four gunmen, but rather murdered as a demonstration in the streets of Gaza City. Salim Mahmoud, a local of the Sheik Radwan neighborhood, watched as the six men were ousted from a van and made to lie face down in the street before they were each shot. One of the dead bodies was then connected to a motorcycle and dragged through the streets for all to see.

Twenty-four-year-old local bystander Ashraf Maher believes that, “[t]hey should have been killed in a more brutal fashion so others don’t even think about working with the occupation (Israel).”

Once these six men were caught there was little doubt that they were going to be killed whether it be by court sanction or not. Palestinians have become used to such killings. The public killing of informants has been the regular practice in the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank since the First Intifada in the late 1980s.

The last time Israel held an offensive against Gaza was four years ago, and seventeen collaborators were unlawfully shot and killed. Since then, four other informants were sentenced to death by firing squad, and many more wait on death row in Gaza.

For further information, please see:

Jerusalem Post – Hamas Leader Decries Killing of Alleged Spies – 21 November 2012

Y Net News – Hamas Official Criticized Execution of Suspected Collaborators – 21 November 2012

Daily Mail – Six Israeli ‘Spies’ Executed Before Baying mob in Gaza City, Before Motorbike Gang Drags one Bloodied Victim Through the Streets – 20 November 2012

Haaretz – Hamas Executes 6 Suspected Israel Collaborators – 20 November 2012

British Parliament Debates Compliance with ECHR Ruling

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LONDON, U.K. – Following an appeal by several British prisoners to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) due to their lack of enfranchisement, the ECHR ruled that the U.K.’s blanket ban against prisoner voting was illegal (see Hirst v. United Kingdom).  In May, the ECHR gave the British government until this Friday to comply with its ruling.  However, many members of Parliament, including Prime Minister David Cameron, are strongly opposed to giving prisoners the vote.

To what extent the British government decides to follow the ECHR’s ruling may have repercussions for the U.K.’s further participation in the European Convention on Human Rights and for the enforceability of the Court’s rulings. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

Presently under Section 3 of the Representation of the Peoples Act, there is a blanket ban preventing those serving prison time from voting.  However, prisoners awaiting trial, fine defaulters, and those held for contempt of court are still permitted to vote.

The 2005 ruling of the ECHR found this blanket ban to be a violation of human rights, and has demanded that at least some prisoners be enfranchised.  However, the Court did not rule that all inmates need to be given the right to vote.  Rather, individual countries can consider factors such as severity of crimes and duration of sentence when writing policies on which prisoners may vote.  However, a total ban is illegal.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Cameron, most Tories, and even some Labour members are decidedly against any legislation that would enfranchise prisoners.  Popular opinion is also strongly opposed to such a move.

Last month, Prime Minister Cameron told members of Parliament: “No one should be under any doubt – prisoners are not getting the vote under this government.”

Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Justice, last month cautioned against ignoring the ECHR’s ruling, because such would be “a significant step outside th[e] international commitment [of the European Convention of Human Rights].”  He further warned that while other countries have disagreed with the ECHR before, “if we send a message that says we will stand up to the court, where does that leave countries in other parts of Europe that perhaps have less good human rights records than we do?”

Attorney General Dominic Grieve has also stressed the importance of complying with the ECHR’s ruling, saying that it imposes an international legal obligation on the U.K.

As the ECHR’s Friday deadline approaches, Parliament has drafted a bill that some BBC sources claim on Thursday will be voted on after it is outlined by the justice secretary.  The bill gives MPs three options with which to address prisoner voting.

Under a first option, Parliament could outright refuse to give prisoners the vote, as it did in February 2011 in a vote of 234 to 22.  This would place the British government in violation of international law and therefore Article 46 of the Ministerial Code.  Furthermore, the ECHR could fine the government for failure to comply.  Prisoners who feel that they should have been enfranchised under the Court’s ruling could also make bids for compensation.

Under a second option, voting rights would be extended to prisoners serving prison sentences of up to 6 months.

Under a third option, voting rights would be extended to prisoners serving prison sentences of up to 4 years.

Current speculation is that if a vote does take place, the blanket ban would likely be upheld.  However, Parliament hopes that by discussing the issue, it will have met the ECHR’s Friday deadline, even if a vote this week does not enfranchise any prisoners.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper suggests maintaining the ban, but also working with the ECHR to determine narrowly what voting laws would be acceptable.  “You have to keep going back to the European Court on this because I think the job of the European Court is to look at what is proportionate, what is responsible,” she explained.  “We haven’t passed laws on this before, even though we have passed motions, and I think when we do so, the European Court should look at it again.”

However, there are also those in the U.K. who question Parliament’s reluctance to allow prisoners the vote.  Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, asked: “Is it wise for the government to flout international law, face a substantial fine and millions in mounting compensation claims, ignore the advice of its attorney general, prison governors, bishops to, and inspectors of, prison, and take up Parliamentary time and taxpayers’ money in order to stop sentenced prisoners from acting responsibly by voting in democratic elections?”

For further information, please see:

The Guardian – UK Rejection of the ECHR’s Ruling on Prisoners’ Votes would be Devastating – 21 November 2012

BBC News – Prisoners’ Vote: MPs to Decide on European Ruling – 19 November 2012

BBC News – Votes for Prisoners – Opening the Door? – 19 November 2012

BBC News – Prisoner Vote Bill to be Outlined – 18 November 2012

The Independent – Parliament to Consider Giving Prisoners Votes as European Ruling Deadline Looms – 18 November 2012

The Telegraph – Tories will Change Relations with European Courts After Prisoner Vote Row, says Justice Secretary – 28 October 2012

BBC News – Prisoners will not get the Vote, Says David Cameron – 24 October 2012

Western New York Middle Schoolers Hold ‘Sleepover for Syria’

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, United States — Two dozen middle school students in western New York State recently held a unique event to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

More than two dozen students at Springville Middle School in western New York raised money for Syrian refugee relief at a sleepover event meant to give students a taste of the refugee experience. (Photo Courtesy of Springville Students for Human Rights)

The 25 students from Springville Middle School, about 35 miles south of Buffalo, held a “Sleepover for Syria” to simulate the refugee experience.  That included sleeping under a tarp supported only by four chairs and a sleeping bag without extensive air mattresses or pillows to use.

“Not all life is fair or perfect,” one student said in reflection of the 17-hour experience.  “Not everyone has it as good or as worse as you.”

Every participating student raised at least $25 in pledges that were donated to the International Rescue Committee’s Syrian Relief Fund.  All told, the students raised $500 for Syrian refugee relief.

“Refugees have it hard due to sickness, lack of food/water, and protection,” reflected another student.  “That’s all chance.  It could have been any of us starving or dying.”

During the program, the students had conversations via Skype with ABC News reporter Lara Setrakian from Dubai, as well as humanitarian Jordan Hattar from outside the refugee camps in the country of Jordan.  Setrakian also leads a worldwide effort called “Syria Deeply,” which aims to give people a new way to understand and engage in the crisis.

Students said the experience was eye-opening for them and made them more appreciative of their own lives.

“It is so important not to take anything for granted and, most importantly, connect on a human-to-human level with the refugees,” said one student.

For further information, please see:

Tumblr — IAmSyria — 16 November 2012

Springville Students for Human Rights — Sleepover for Syria — 15 November 2012

ABC Medianet — Lara Setrakian biography — 2012

Syria Deeply — Syria Deeply — 2012