Internal Politics: Still the “Kingdom of Silence”

A Decade in Power: Syria under Bashar al-Assad’s Rule

The few months of exaltation following the death of Hafez reflected how much Syrian civil society had been repressed during his time. Intellectuals and activists back then held meetings and called peacefully for democratic changes in the country.

This movement, which became known as the Damascus Spring, was quickly crushed by Bashar. The massive crackdown on civil society signaled that the next ten years would be characterised by repression of freedoms and rights.

In 2000, the Progressive National Front, established in 1972 as a coalition of political groups tightly controlled by the Baath party, was the only recognised party. Independent civil society groups were non-existent. The extensive and powerful network of security services controlled unions and all other elements of civil society.

Thousands of opponents to the regime were serving terms in jail or were missing.

Ten years on, there might be an easing of repression. People are more vocal and there are less prisoners of conscience but disregard for human rights and the absence of a real political life continue. The 1963 emergency law is still in effect and arbitrary detentions, travel bans and other forms of oppression and intimidation are still routine practices.

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