NCB: Concerns raised regarding the Head of the Observers Mission

Haytham Manna has released a statement expressing concern regarding the Head of Mission with the Arab League Observers in Syria.  

Haytham Manna, Head of the Executive Bureau of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change [NCB] in Exile today stated that the Arab Observer team presents a significant opportunity for the Syrian people in the face of the brutality of the security and military forces, and its criminal consequences on the right to life and the security of the Syrian citizens and on their peaceful movement. The NCB supported the arrival of the Observers and had nominated a group of well-known Arab activists with international credibility and high-level professionalism for this important and difficult work.

The NCB were surprised by the choice of the Head of Mission, as they are aware of his history and his shallow experience in this area, and today the risk associated with giving him such special powers was clearly seen. It is essential to work today within a team that has expertise and experience and to not fall back on the positions and statements of individuals as this makes the success of this task impossible. Read more

Profile: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

BBC: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has emerged as a prominent campaign group amid the country’s revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, releasing daily casualty figures for the international media. But who is behind the organisation and what does it do?

Although the UK-based organisation has gained a high profile since the uprising began in March, it has been working covertly in Syria for more than five years. Read more

Update on talks between NCB and SNC

The National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria [NCB] delegation in Cairo reports that a meeting was held in Cairo in the past two days between delegates of the NCB and the Syrian National Council [SNC], to continue the work of unifying the Syrian opposition. The atmosphere between the delegates was positive and co-operative  during two sessions, and as a consequence they established a basic understanding about the tasks and rules for the expected transitional phase regarding multiple political and procedural aspects.  Read more

Friday 23 December 2011

Demonstration in Qamishli.

Al-Hasakeh: According to AVAAZ citizen journalist Amir from al-Hasakeh, at least five were wounded when security forces attacked a demonstration in the neighbourhood of Ghoyran. Security forces used tear gas as well beat the demonstrators. Other protests emerged throughout al-Hasakeh and were dispersed by security forces firing into the air. At least 20 were arrested in al-Hasakeh today. Security forces attack the neighbourhood of Ghoyran:  http://youtu.be/O4I3gUp7-rk

UPDATE (23/12/2011): At least 20 have been killed by the bullets of the Syrian security forces today – mostly in Homs and also Hama, Duma, Idlib and the town of Ghabaghab in Daraa province. The map shows today’s protests which took place across Syria. We are still updating it. Syria – Friday 23/12/2011 Read more

Thursday 22 December 2011

Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre: JABAL AZ-ZAWIYAH (20/12/2011): The first video evidence of the massacre in Kafr Aweid village, Jabal az-Zawiyah on Tuesday. It shows the bodies of more than 40 victims. Horrific.

 Kafr Aweid massacre 20/12/2011 (WARNING: GRAPHIC)

UPDATE (21/12/2011): Yesterday, security forces killed a student in Aleppo. Today there have been more sit-ins and protests at the University – and the predictable brutal response by security forces armed with sticks, knives and guns. Elsewhere, military operations continue in Idlib, Hama, Homs, Dayr az-Zawr, Daraa. Hundreds are reported to have been arrested in the town of Dael, Daraa province. Across Syria, at least 12 martyrs have fallen so far today – mostly in Homs.
 student sit-in at Faculty of Sciences, Aleppo University 22/12/2011 Read more

NCB meets with French Foreign Ministry

Dr. Khaled Issa, Vice-President of the National Coordination Body in Exile met with senior officials of the French Foreign Ministry in order to exchange views and discuss the latest developments regarding the situation Syria. The atmosphere of the meeting was friendly and frank around the bloody situation taking place in the country.

The parties agreed to continue consultations and meetings that promote access to urgent and radical solutions for the benefit of the Syrian people, to work for unity and the building of a modern democratic state, and for security and stability in the region.

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Sources within NCB report that the Syrian authorities have detained the prominent democratic figure Abdul Azeez al-Khair, while he was leaving the country at Damascus airport to travel to Cairo. He was going to participate in discussions with Nabil al-Arabi the Secretary General of the Arab League, as a member of the delegation from the National Coordination Body – NCB that includes Haytham Manna, Saleh Muslim Mohammed and Rajaa al-Naser.

This arbitrary action is blocking the implementation of the Arab League initiative that the Syrian regime has signed up to.  The regime must take full responsibility for the consequences of its actions.

21 December 2011

Syria is not what Assad says it is

The wall of fear in Syria has been breached, and it is doubtful whether the regime will be able to turn the clock back.

Contrary to President Bashar Assad’s insistence to The Wall Street Journal that Syria “[has] more difficult circumstances than most of the Arab countries but in spite of that Syria is stable” and his comment that the regime is “very closely linked to the beliefs of the people,” Syria has not been isolated from the changes taking place in the Arab world. Read more

Preparatory Committee makes progress in unifying Syrian opposition

The National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria [NCB] reports that representatives from the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change and the Syrian National Council formed a Preparatory Committee to achieve an essential understanding between the two sides, in the fields of policy, program and organization, in readiness for the expected Syrian Congress that will hopefully be held under the auspices of the Arab League in the next week. Talks have been suspended for ten days but are expected to restart on Monday 5 December 2011. Read more

The role of Kurds in Syria’s future is still uncertain

While social unrest, anti-government rallies and unprecedented signs of public defiance have erupted across North Africa and Middle Eastern countries, and oppressive regimes are falling one by one, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is still resisting “Arab Spring.” The Syrian regime is one of the last classical military dictatorships in the region, and after nearly nine months of bloody crackdowns on the civilian uprising, with around 4,500 civilians dead, it has no intention of ending this bloody campaign. It seems Syria’s leader has chosen the fate of Libyan leader Moammar Ghadhafi instead of a forced departure like Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak or Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh. While the continuation of Syria’s bloody conflict has several reasons, it seems there is no reasonable political solution for Assad’s departure in near future. Nevertheless, Syrian Kurds have enough potential to play a major role in upcoming changes in this country and their political leverage should not be ignored.  Read more

Syria: NCB statement in response to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe

Agreement has been reached between the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change [NCB], the Syrian National Council [SNC] and individuals to form a preparation committee that will draft a common political framework for a Syrian Conference that it is proposed will be held under the auspices of the Arab League in the coming days.

22 November 2011

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The National Coordination Body for Democratic Change – NCB reports that it has been following with great interest the recent statements by French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, and in particular those made on Wednesday, 23 November 2011. The NCB said that while it appreciates the position of the French government and the leftist French parties which is supportive of the Syrian people, reports suggest that the French Foreign Minister shows limited knowledge of the Syrian reality and the political map of Syria, for example comparing the situation to that in Libya and talking about creating a human corridor. The NCB was surprising to learn that one opposition group – the Syrian National Council, was identified to be the negotiators on behalf of the Syrian people, when this does not reflect reality. This approach contradicts the European and international approach which aims to work with all democratic Syrian forces. The NCB notes that this approach by Alain Juppe has come at a sensitive time as the opposition is trying to form one umbrella group through dialogue in order to represent an inclusive and more credible front. They call on the French government to take a responsible position and constructively listen to all the forces of democratic opposition, and avoid creating obstacles to unity.

The National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change is communicating with all those concerned with the Syrian situation, with parties and non-governmental organizations, and governments. It has thanked the French left parties whose position supports the revolution of the Syrian people in its rejection of external military intervention, and which is eager to communicate with all Syrian Democrats, without exception.
Damascus

24 November 2011

http://www.ncsyria.com

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