The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Office of Syrian Communities Abroad held a virtual meeting with members of the Syrian community in Canada.
Participants in the meeting discussed the role of Syrian communities as a big home for Syrians in the diaspora. Coordinator of the Office Muhammad Yahya Maktabi emphasized the socio-political role of Syrian communities as social clubs for public relations and a tool for influencing public opinion and decision-makers in the host countries.
SOC’s Vice-president Abdul Hakim Bashar gave an overview on the Kurdish National Council, its role in the Syrian revolution and its commitment to its goals and to the SOC’s vision.
Member of the political committee, Ahmed Sayed Youssef, gave a detailed overview on the developments of the political process since Riyadh 1 conference, the formation of the Constitutional Committee, and the Syrian Negotiations Commission and its components. He also talked about the Assad regime’s disruption and its refusal to engage in the political process.
Member of the political committee, Salem Al-Mislet, talked about the formation of the Syrian Tribal Council, its restructuring and joining the SOC. He focused on the important role of the Council in establishing civil peace in the liberated areas and in closing the gaps among the Syrian people, especially in light of attempts by the Assad regime and PYD militia to sow strife in the areas east of the Euphrates.
Member of the political committee and head of the legal committee, Hisham Marwa, gave an explanation on the SOC’s role in following the issue of detainees in the prisons of the Assad regime. He said that the SOC is raising the issue of detainees in all international meetings and forums.
Members of the Syrian community in Canada focused on the issue of the detainees which they stressed must not be subjected to negotiations and be considered a purely humanitarian issue affecting thousands of Syrian families. They said that the detainees are being subjected to brutal torture and abuse on a daily basis.
They also stressed the need for the Syrian Tribal Council to include the majority of Syrian tribes, especially those in southern and central Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
