Syria's Declaration Of Freedom - World History From

Syria's Declaration of Freedom HIST 112-- World History from 1650 STUDENT NAME Rhodes-Swartz, Linda August 12

As an ancient country, we, the people of Syria, can trace our heritage throughout the development of the Middle East. We are a great people, a modern people, with our location providing a microcosm of the various Middle Eastern ethnicities and religions. Given our prominence in both history and the international news as of late, we are disgraced by the horrid actions of our leader Bashar Al-Assad in response to our peaceful protests.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to address certain injustices by an unresponsive ruler, we, the people, are forced to hold them responsible for their actions by actively seeking to dissolve our common ties. Therefore, because of the grievances listed below, we are compelled to give birth to a new form of government, one more responsive to the God-given natural rights of its people.

Declaration of Freedom

Grievances:

1. Lack of freedom of assembly and protest
2. Freedom from government harassment
3. Freedom from fear of one's life
4. Lack of authentic representation
5. Lack of economic opportunity
6. Lack of governmental transparency and integrity
7. Discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities
8. Lack of an independent press
9. Absence of freedom to hope

In March 2011, Syrian citizens started protesting against Bashar al-Assad’s government. The regime responded with brutal force, including deploying tanks and military forces to suppress demonstrations. By April 2012, the United Nations reported the death toll had reached at least 9,000 people. Protesters and opposition members faced arrests, harsh detention conditions—as exemplified by Riad al Turk, who was held in a tiny cell for 18 years and re-arrested after release—and retaliation from government forces. Refugees fleeing the violence outside Syria have experienced threats, including shooting and poisoning, which highlights the systematic violence committed against civilians.

The government’s political structure is heavily centralized, with power monopolized by Bashar al-Assad’s family and the ruling Ba'athist party. The dominance of sectarian identities—Alawis in power and Sunnis in the majority—exacerbates social stratification and discontent. Economic hardships are widespread, caused by droughts, unemployment, and corruption rooted in nepotism and the concentration of wealth among Assad’s familial ties. The public sector has become a bloated, inefficient system, incapable of providing meaningful employment or development for Syria’s youth. Dissatisfaction is further intensified by restrictions on political dissent and the absence of genuine representation.

Minorities like Kurds have faced discrimination and cultural suppression, with citizenship rights only recently granted amidst ongoing unrest. State media’s propaganda and censorship distort the truth, while opposition journalists risk assassination or exile. These factors contribute to a pervasive sense of hopelessness among the populace, fueling the desire for change.

In response to these grievances, we, the representatives of the Syrian people, declare that our ties to the Assad government shall be dissolved. We dissolve all allegiances, establishing ourselves as a free and independent people capable of self-governance, rights, and responsibilities inherent to sovereignty.

Conclusion

This declaration aims to mark the end of oppressive governance and the beginning of a new era for Syria—one rooted in democracy, respect for human rights, and societal cohesion. Our struggle reflects universal themes of liberation and justice, echoing historic declarations like that of the United States in 1776, while affirming our unique national identity and pursuit of freedom.

References

• United Nations. (2012). Syria: UN advisers warn that crimes against humanity may have been committed. UN News Centre.
• Wright, Robin. (2012). Hopeful About the Middle East. Occidental College Press Release.
• Choksy, Carol, & Jamsheed K. Choksy. (2012). Opposition in Syria: A Strategic Analysis. Small Wars Journal.
• Voice of America. (2012). Unrest Continues in Syria.
• Mroue, Bassem & Dale Gavlak. (2012). Syrian Refugee Camps Swell as Frustrations Rise. US News & World Report.
• Manfreda, Primoz. (2012). Syrian Uprising. About.com.
• Al Jazeera. (2012). Kurds take control in Syria's northeast.
• Al Jazeera. (2012). Syria steps up attacks on rebel-held areas.
• CNN. (2012). Syria's uprising: From rocks to RPGs.
• Wright, Robin. (2012). Hopeful About the Middle East. Occidental College Press Release.