Oct 11, 2016

More than Rita’s Uncle

A True (Syrian Refugee) Activist

Part 3 in a 3-Part Series

I couldn’t remember this gentleman’s name until yesterday, as he was always ‘Rita’s uncle’ to me. Every time I met him in camp he seemed humble, polite and quiet. So I didn’t get to speak to him much about his work. Now I wish I had, while I could still track him down, as there was so much to hear and so much to learn. But I will tell you what I know, and what I have learned, about this remarkable young man who tried to fight against the regime before he fled, and how he continues to do so along his journey to safety and stability.

Twenty-nine years old, a photographer from Aleppo in Syria. He was an activist involved heavily in the revolutionary movement against the terrorist organisations and Assad regime.

He filmed the devastation caused by the aviation system and worked as a trainer for the advocacy campaigns in Syria.

He was also involved in the organisation of the preparatory committee of the council in the ‘free state’ province Aleppo. This is a part of the council which is beyond the dictatorship and control of Assad: interested in education, hygiene and health services. People’s rights.

Initially he did not want to leave Syria, but in the end he had to flee with his mother, sister, brother-in-law, four nieces and a nephew. He was wanted by the Assad system, Daesh, Al Nusra Front and other organisations because of his revolutionary work and campaigns for the rights of the people of Syria. Air strikes and also the spread of terrorist organisations further firmed the decision to leave. No doubt if he had stayed most likely he would have been dead by now.

They initially fled to Turkey, Gaziantep where he founded the Syrian initiative of transparency, which is a media platform to monitor the work of local councils in Aleppo and Idlib. The initiative works to promote transparency and accountability between citizens and council members. Even away from Syria he has continued to work for the Syrian People.

However, poor life conditions in Turkey meant the family soon embarked on a dangerous boat journey to Chios, Greece, eventually settling in Idomeni refugee camp on the Greek-Macedonia (FYROM) border.

Even after reaching Idomeni camp, he and his family continued the work to highlight the problems faced by refugees and how they suffered after the border was closed in front of them. They did this through the dissemination of videos and photos of the refugees stranded at the border, and by documenting abuses by the Macedonian (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) army in Idomeni.

I realised that some of the more noteworthy photos I had seen going viral when the border closed and there were fights between police and refugees were in fact his. Googling his name produced inspirational humanitarian work, regardless of his personal circumstances.

Despite adversity, fear, desperation and hostility, the courage and strength he has shown is immense. He didn’t give up. When others would have been demoralised and defeated (and I saw plenty people suffering depression in camp) he kept going.

Rita’s Uncle has continued to raise awareness and fight for the rights of the people of Syria with his family … even to this day whilst they wait at another border to cross. A true activist.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but a true activist will NEVER fail to protest.