Syrian civil war and india's role in peace process
The Syrian
Civil War, also known as the Syrian Uprising or the Syrian Crisis is an ongoing armed conflict in Syria between
forces loyal to the Baath government (Bashar al Assad) and those seeking to
oust it (opposition which include free moderate Syrian army, some Islamic
fundamentalist organization and terrorist organization). The unrest began on 15
March 2011, with popular protests that grew nationwide by April 2011. These
protests were part of the wider North African and Middle Eastern protest
movements known as the Arab Spring (popularly known as jasmine revolution).
Syrian protest which was started with the demands of democratic and economic
reform within the framework of the existing government gradually transformed
into ethnic, religious and political armed conflict. This armed in due course
of time evolve into a rivalry among western country and Russia. While USA,
Britain, France, some Arab countries financially or tactically supporting
rebels to replace existing government with the USA controlled opposition,
Russia, Iran and Hezbollah (a Lebanon based Islamist militant group )
supporting government with arms and ammunition to protect their alone ally in
the middle east.
According to the United Nations, the death toll surpassed 100,000 in June 2013, and reached 120,000 by September 2013. In addition, tens of thousands of protesters, students, liberal activists and human rights advocates have been imprisoned and there are reports of widespread torture and terror in state prisons. International organizations have accused both government and opposition forces of severe human rights violations. Use of chemical weapons by Syrian govt. on civilians and grave human rights violation forced the united nation to mediate aggressively and provide a viable solution for smooth transition to new democratic Syrian govt.
Geneva I Conference on Syria was held on Saturday 30 June 2012, in Geneva, initiated by the then UN peace envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, and attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, a representative of China, British Foreign Secretary Hague, and Kofi Annan.Mr Annan, issuing a communique, said that the conference agreed on the need for a "transitional government body with full executive powers" which could include members of the present Syrian government and of the opposition. William Hague said that all five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Russia, China, France and the UK – supported Mr Annan’s efforts.
After this June 2012 meeting, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was appointed as the new UN peace envoy to Syria in August 2012, started to prepare an international conference on ending Syria's civil war, in close cooperation with the Russian Federation and the United States.
The Geneva II conference are to bring one delegation representing the Syrian government and one representing the Syrian opposition together to discuss how to implement the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012 (a “transitional government”), end the war, and start a process toward a New Syrian republic.
The key steps in the transition should include:
1.Establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers that could include members of the government and opposition, and should be formed on the basis of mutual consent.
2. Participation of all groups and segments of society in Syria in a meaningful national dialogue process.
3. Review of the constitutional order and the legal system.
4. Free and fair multi-party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established.
5. Full representation of women in all aspects of the transition.
It is the first time India has been invited to this important forum to deliberate on Syria’s future. It is a great chance for New Delhi to assert himself as a key international player and strong candidate for UNSC seat. However India did not import any oil from Syria and also few Indian expatriates resides there but any future instability in Syria along with involvement of terrorist organization would be against the security of India. A stable and friendly regime in Syria would also be helpful in future India’s energy interest.
According to the United Nations, the death toll surpassed 100,000 in June 2013, and reached 120,000 by September 2013. In addition, tens of thousands of protesters, students, liberal activists and human rights advocates have been imprisoned and there are reports of widespread torture and terror in state prisons. International organizations have accused both government and opposition forces of severe human rights violations. Use of chemical weapons by Syrian govt. on civilians and grave human rights violation forced the united nation to mediate aggressively and provide a viable solution for smooth transition to new democratic Syrian govt.
Geneva I Conference on Syria was held on Saturday 30 June 2012, in Geneva, initiated by the then UN peace envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, and attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, a representative of China, British Foreign Secretary Hague, and Kofi Annan.Mr Annan, issuing a communique, said that the conference agreed on the need for a "transitional government body with full executive powers" which could include members of the present Syrian government and of the opposition. William Hague said that all five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Russia, China, France and the UK – supported Mr Annan’s efforts.
After this June 2012 meeting, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was appointed as the new UN peace envoy to Syria in August 2012, started to prepare an international conference on ending Syria's civil war, in close cooperation with the Russian Federation and the United States.
The Geneva II conference are to bring one delegation representing the Syrian government and one representing the Syrian opposition together to discuss how to implement the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012 (a “transitional government”), end the war, and start a process toward a New Syrian republic.
The key steps in the transition should include:
1.Establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers that could include members of the government and opposition, and should be formed on the basis of mutual consent.
2. Participation of all groups and segments of society in Syria in a meaningful national dialogue process.
3. Review of the constitutional order and the legal system.
4. Free and fair multi-party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established.
5. Full representation of women in all aspects of the transition.
Analysis- UN sincere approach
for negotiation pushed both parties to come on the table for negotiation
however success of Geneva 2 depends on many factors. Among all factor, a
comprehensive compromise between al Assad and opposition is very important.
Till now both the parties are firm on their stand while opposition demanding
transition govt containing representative from present regime and opposition
party excluding Bashar al Assad but incumbent govt. had already refused any
such proposal which include ousting of Bashar al Assad. On this matter
international community too deeply divided, although Russia and USA both agreed
on the transition govt. containing members from both parties but wanted to
place govt which suit one’s interest. So solution for present crisis not lies
in the consensus between Assad regime and opposition but also among international
community too.
Second problem is the fragmented and hostile nature of various groups towards each other of opposition party which is again a biggest hurdle.
Third problem is the increasing participation and influence of Islamist fundamentalism and some terrorist organization. So if without due monitoring and accountability, regime is transferred to opposition, it is likely to create same situation as Taliban did in Afghanistan.
Second problem is the fragmented and hostile nature of various groups towards each other of opposition party which is again a biggest hurdle.
Third problem is the increasing participation and influence of Islamist fundamentalism and some terrorist organization. So if without due monitoring and accountability, regime is transferred to opposition, it is likely to create same situation as Taliban did in Afghanistan.
Solution of this problem lies in the two things
1. Broad consensus among key international player, on the issue of regime change, having interest in Syria. It will ultimately force both the parties to reach on a viable solution.
2. International as well as UN pressure on Assad regime as well as opposition to stop human right violation and fixing accountability if any human right violation occur during peace process. It will gradually help in side-lining militant group and ultimately making future govt. more democratic and people centric rather than sectarian and religion centric.
India’s Role- Practically till now India followed a neutral approach owing to the involvement of friendly country in this matter and taking side of one bloc would have negative impact on relation with other countries. From starting India supported Assad regime either directly or indirectly due to some domestic and international compulsion. While India support Syria’s right to Golan height (Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the closing stages of the 1967 Six-Day War. Most of the Syrian Arab inhabitants fled the area during the conflict) and in exchange Syria endorse India’s position that Kashmir issue is bilateral one unlike other Arab countries which invariably inclined towards Pakistan.
1. Broad consensus among key international player, on the issue of regime change, having interest in Syria. It will ultimately force both the parties to reach on a viable solution.
2. International as well as UN pressure on Assad regime as well as opposition to stop human right violation and fixing accountability if any human right violation occur during peace process. It will gradually help in side-lining militant group and ultimately making future govt. more democratic and people centric rather than sectarian and religion centric.
India’s Role- Practically till now India followed a neutral approach owing to the involvement of friendly country in this matter and taking side of one bloc would have negative impact on relation with other countries. From starting India supported Assad regime either directly or indirectly due to some domestic and international compulsion. While India support Syria’s right to Golan height (Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the closing stages of the 1967 Six-Day War. Most of the Syrian Arab inhabitants fled the area during the conflict) and in exchange Syria endorse India’s position that Kashmir issue is bilateral one unlike other Arab countries which invariably inclined towards Pakistan.
Sources-
1. The Hindu
2. BBC News
3. Wikipedia
4. Of course Me Dr.Sandeep Sharma
Any further improvement and criticism is welcome.
1. The Hindu
2. BBC News
3. Wikipedia
4. Of course Me Dr.Sandeep Sharma
Any further improvement and criticism is welcome.
Nice read.One improvement that can be done is to limit the use of tough diction in your article.
ReplyDeleteTry to simplify the language so as to convey the idea in a simple way.
Good effort .Keep it up sandeep .
@luv sharma can u point out some diction. sorry but i didn't get it.
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ReplyDeleteSince the "Arab Spring" revolt in 2011, Syria has been engulfed in civil conflict. However, the Syrian civil conflict has sparked sectarian tensions, geopolitical rivalries, and the worldwide menace of Islamic extremism. Syria has become a battlefield for Saudi-backed rebel groups and Iran-backed Hezbollah in the region. Other Gulf powers, including Qatar, have also deployed proxies to gain a foothold in the Syrian civil war.