Why are Syrians worldwide afraid of Assad?

Despite the long distances, most fugitive Syrians no longer dare to tell the truth about events in their country. Several groups that were or still are active in Syria, such as Al Qaeda and IS, pose a great danger, but President Assad poses the greatest danger to Syrians worldwide. 

Assad is a dictator, a criminal, a war criminal. For 20 years he has been in power in a republican country. Syria is not a monarchy, but Assad, like a true king, wants to stay in power forever. He has emerged victorious from the war. Europe and the US no longer say he should go, some countries are even rehabilitating him.

All indications are that Assad will remain in power for a long period and that his son will eventually succeed him. This means that Syrians who oppose Assad can no longer go to their country, even to attend a funeral or say goodbye to loved ones.

Intelligence agencies keep a file on every Syrian. The only purpose of this information is whether someone is pro or contra Assad. All other information is irrelevant. If you end up in the camp that is against Assad, it does not necessarily mean you are politically active or affiliated with an organisation that does not cooperate with the regime. You are already a threat if you post a critical opinion on social media like Facebook. Liking someone else's opinion already gets you in trouble. Even writing down the words revolution and freedom makes you the enemy. According to Assad, there has never been a revolution in Syria. My friends and family inside and outside Syria do not dare to like my posts on Facebook, even if I write something that has nothing to do with the regime. They are afraid they will be persecuted or family members in Syria will get into trouble.

In all countries to which Syrians have fled, supporters of Assad are active, passing on information about critical compatriots. It is extremely galling that Syrians who fled dictatorship and are trying to build their lives in democratic countries are still afraid. Many Syrians are afraid to voice their opinions and find it difficult to trust compatriots. After all, you never know if the person is a supporter of Assad and passes on information to Syrian intelligence. Whether the information is actually correct is not checked by anyone. Assad regards his supporters as trustworthy people. If they say someone is against the regime, that is the truth. And once you become a suspect, no one can guarantee whether or not you will be caught if you go back to Syria. No one can estimate how many years you will have to spend in prison or if you will still be killed. That is why many Syrians who fled remain silent. Some even pretend to be pro Assad for fear of a negative dossier. 

Although Assad is stronger in the saddle than ever, he is a president without powers. He does not decide Syria's interests and future. Nor does he have any say in diplomatic relations with other countries or self-determination and sovereignty. Russia and Iran have taken over these tasks. President Putin and Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, are in charge in Syria. The only things Russia and Iran do not interfere with are the megalomaniacal revenge operations that Assad set up after the war. Assad's only mission is to take revenge on Syrians who did not or do not agree with him. He does not care about education or healthcare. He also does not care about the enormous poverty in the country. All he cares about is the security and well-being of Assad himself. If things go well for him, then things go well for Syria. That is how he thinks and that is how Syrians must think, otherwise you are a traitor and an enemy. Wondering out loud until when this criminal will stay in power and when he will finally be tried for his many war crimes is a downright mortal sin.

Photo: Flickr