Secular Opposition to unite in new political bloc called Democratic Union

Syrian dissent announced last Saturday from Istanbul the establishment of the Syrian Democratic Union that includes opposition figures from different movements and parties such as the National Coalition , the National Council , cooperative bodies and other Democratic parties.

More than 350 delegates, distinguished guests, diplomats, representatives of democratic political parties and influential figures attend the event.

In His opening speech, Michel Kilo, Head of the Democratic bloc in the National Coalition said: "Today we are all convinced that this generation will give us new thoughts, and I think that the presence of a large number of delegates indicates that the new revolutionary  mind has started to work and express itself in a democratic way”

There is a process to eradication, depletion and destroy the forces that has been born with the revolution, either civil or armed, in particular the Free Syrian  Army, which is comprised of officers refused to continue in Assad “slavery” regime, by organizations used the revolution name and aimed to establish a regime as authoritarian as the current one in not more.” He added.

He explained: “our battle is not now, but should be later, but the current situation forced us to start the battle now, as these organizations started to penetrate the Syria community and life, aimed to establish particular structure to omit everything in our society and destroy what the regime left”

Kilo added that eradication of the partisans and groups which originated with the revolution, will divide the country into three forces, the regime, these organizations, and the scattered democratic forces, therefore, it is not allowed to stay like this away from the principles of the revolution. if the regime falls for the benefit of  these organizations, it will destroy civil life in the country.

He pointed out that in today's polarization, Democrats should play a salvation and rescuing role, and they should look at the situation in that level of awareness to save Syria.

Suheir Atassi, the vice president  of the National Coalition talked on behalf of the Coalition. She stressed that Free Syrian Army and armed factions, do not hold responsibility for what happened after months of peaceful demonstrations, where protesters did not take permission from regime, the opposition or  any Arabic or foreign  country, it was a national decision, and revolution will win with decision.

Atassi stressed: “We must distinguish between the regime weapon and arms aimed to establish another authoritarian regime. Democracy we dream of should not only be the voting and election or the majority rule, but it must be expanded to protect individuals and minorities rights which should be guaranteed in the Constitution.

Atassi added that democratic regime requires the presence of political opposition. “The existence of a democratic system is not enough on its own to create a democratic society, therefore, Syria needs to launch social organizations to distribute affiliations horizontally, not vertically which things link to precedents, democracy should be turned into a culture in order to prevent the authoritarian regime from coming back.

In his speech, Ahmed Tohma, the head of the interim government, stressed that the Democratic Union orientation commensurate with the orientations of the interim  government.

He added: “I am convinced that the majority of Syrians think in a logic similar to what we are talking about. The interim government aimed at building democratic institutions through a set of goals, one of them is building the Syrian national state that guarantees security for its citizens maintains social peace and provides basic needs to secure decent life for citizen.

He explained that the objectives of the government are to activate the role of civil society, and its in developing and establishing the future practices in the state to achieve the desired objectives of the Syrians, stressing that the Federation document one of the best documents for Syria future, and it has many common points with the interim government.

Mohammed al-Haj Bakry from the Syrian Coast, spoke on behalf of Syrian people inside the country. He emphasized the need for a national army,  stressing that there is no compulsion in religion, and every individual has the freedom of choice , and no one should imposed anything.

Al-Bakri pointed out that tugging in media, distanced people from who live inside Syria, where people who live abroad only express their own opinions.

The meeting continued for two days and ended today in press conference.

Read the original article; Translation by Yusra Ahmed