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Syrian-Canadian reports threats over
activism
03/08/2011 1 News
The federal government is prepared to investigate a report of threats
and intimidation of Syrian-Canadians who have voiced support for the
uprising against the regime in their home country, Prime Minister
Stephen Harper says.
In an interview Wednesday with CBC Radio's The Current, a
Syrian-Canadian woman said she and others in her community started
receiving the threats after she posted videos and spread information
online about the violent crackdown on protesters in Syria.
"I felt I was in Syria, not in Canada," said the woman, whose name is
being withheld by CBC News out of concerns for her safety.
"I really feel threatened, I am always terrified that they might attack
me on the street or at home."
When asked Wednesday about the reports, Harper said the government will
investigate the claims.
"I have not heard these accusations, but we certainly would be prepared
to look into them and ensure that the Syrian government is not taking
any such actions within this country," the prime minister told reporters
in Hamilton, Ont.
The RCMP said it didn't have word of any trends across Canada of
threats being reported.
Meanwhile, Harper repeated his government's condemnation of the violent
crackdown by Syrian forces on protests against the rule of Bashar Assad
as "totally unacceptable" and "abhorrent."
Canada has already imposed travel and economic sanctions against members
of the Syrian government. Harper said the government will continue to
work with the international community to increase the pressure on the
Assad regime.
"That suppression is simply not a viable route for them going forward
and they will continue to have the full pressure of the international
community against them."
An estimated 1,600 civilians have died in the crackdown on the largely
peaceful protests against Assad's regime since the uprising began. Most
were killed in shootings by security forces on anti-government rallies.
'Something will happen that you won't like at all'
The woman who talked to the CBC said she and others also live under the
constant threat of their names being sent back to Syria, where their
relatives could face persecution.
A person she knew posted a message on her Facebook page telling her it
was in her "best interests" to stop her activities "because Syria and
our leader, Bashir Assad, will remain strong, regardless of whether you
or others accept it."
"I'm warning you for the last time to stop what you are doing," part
of the message said.
"Otherwise, something will happen that you won't like at all. I've given
you fair warning. You know what it means to be accused of being a
traitor in our country. I won't say more. You get the point. If you want
to consider it a threat, go ahead. I'm sure you will delete me from
Facebook. But I swear by God, I will follow you, no matter what it costs."
The woman said that after much thought, she contacted police about
the threat. Meanwhile, other activists she knows have received similar
threats over the phone.
"They said, 'You don't care about your son's life in Syria?'" she said
of the phone calls.
She suspected the intimidation was part of a wider campaign orchestrated
by Syrian government agents inside Canada, although she acknowledged she
had no proof supporting her allegations.
Calls to the Syrian Embassy in Ottawa for comment were not answered.
While the woman said she felt it was risky to talk to the CBC, she
wanted to spread the word about how the regime is preventing Syrians
abroad from participating in their freedoms.
"I believe that the Syrian people need to live with security, dignity,
justice and freedom and that cannot happen as long as the current regime
is in power," she said. |
