The Assyrian Democratic Organization has realized since its establishment on 15th of July 1957, as the first national political organization working among the Syriac Assyrians, that solving the issue of national diversity in Syria and to overcome the deprivation, discrimination and injustice that they have suffered from, along with other nationalities, can’t be achieved except through a comprehensive national solution that guarantees the rights of all people of Syria. Therefor its approach and method, since the beginning, has been based on correlation between Assyrian National struggle and the Syrian National Democratic struggle, in which it has been the formula of strengthening of cooperation with other existing political groups. With that premise in mind, the ADO has joined the Syrian National Opposition to achieve the democratic changes that all the Syrians are hoping for.
The ADO
struggled under very difficult conditions in the absence of liberties and
democracy, and due to its conviction and position toward Assyrian nationalism
and concerning that of the Syrian Arab nationalism; the dictatorial Syrian
regime, showed no mercy, in dealing with ADO and other Syrian parties and
groups. ADO members and leaders were persecuted, detained and dismissed from
their work. All these measures used by the regime did not deter ADO from
continuing its peaceful approach, but rather it strengthened its believe in its
principles, as well as, its determination to continue demanding a
“constitutional recognition of national rights and identity existence of
Assyrians (Syriac) in Syria”, on equal parities with other nationalities in the
country. And guaranteeing their national rights and recognizing the Syriac
language and culture as an integral part of the national heritage of united
Syria. The ADO strived for a secular democratic system that respect human
rights that is based on principles of equal citizenship and true partnership
between all segments of Syrian people.
The 63rd
anniversary of ADO establishment comes in a time when the Syrians, regardless
to their political belief, are struggling to hang on life in the current
extreme conditions of poverty and deprivations that resulted from the civil
war’s destruction of the economy, infrastructure and manufacturing sector waged
by the Syrian regime for more than nine years ago, as a response to their just
demands for liberty and dignity. It is likely the current living conditions
will exacerbate with the enforcing of Caesar Law and the increase cases of the
Covid-19 pandemic, aa well as, the insistent of the Russians backed by the
Chinese that the UN restrict the entry of humanitarian aid into a single
crossing; in which it would leave millions of Syrian that are not under the
control of the regime in a dire and continued danger and hardship. In view of
these conditions the regime and its allies continue obstructing the political
solution approved by the UN resolution 2254 and its insistent to go ahead and
hold parliamentary elections that the Syrian people consider on-sided; and
signing new military agreement with Iran aimed at diverting attention from the
existing suffering of the people and to legitimate the occupation, by foreign
powers, in order to prolong the life of the regime, regardless to the remaining
sovereignty that it claims to have.
The ADO
believes the current situation will lead to further degradation, even greater
dangers, and catastrophic consequences where the Syrian people will not be able
to face. Therefore, we call on the international community to take urgent
action to help the Syrian people out of the above-mentioned hardship, that are
brought upon them against their will, and to launch and expedite a political
process under the supervision of the UN and to pressure the regime to accept
the UN resolution 2254 with all its provisions: formation of transitional
government with full powers, and the drafting of a new constitution that
guarantees the rights of all Syrians. That is to be proceeded by implementation
of confidence building measure including comprehensive cease fire, release of
detainees, discloser of missing people and their whereabout or fate, allowing
the entry of humanitarian aid to all areas, and the voluntary and safe return
of refugees and displaced persons to their homes, as well as prohibiting the
process of demographic change. And most importantly provide a safe environment
for fair and free election to take place and held under the auspices of the UN,
in order to achieve the desired political transition.
On the 63rd
anniversary of the ADO founding, we call on all Assyrian/Syriacs institution
and parties in homeland and in diaspora for greater unity, solidarity and
coordination that would lead to a united front capable of facing these
challenges in these difficult times that our country is enduring, to ensure our
legitimate rights and to support the establishment of its historical presence
in the homeland, the Khabour region, specifically in aftermath of the ISIS
terrorist invasion of its villages that resulted in displacement of its
Assyrian inhabitants. Today, this region faces unprecedented danger of a
demographic change due to the flocking of new refugees resulting from forced
displacement in the surrounding regions.
ADO
announces the cancellation of celebrations commemorating the 63rd anniversary
due to Covid-19 Corona epidemic. And it pledges to our people to continue the
struggle to achieve the legitimate right of Assyrian Syriac in Syria and to
work with all national groups in order to build a new Syria, where all the
people enjoy freedom, justice, peace, and dignity.
Our
salutation to the martyrs of our people and to the martyrs of our country,
Syria.
Syria, July
14, 2020
Assyrian
Democratic Organization
The
Executive Committee
