-
Does Fakherjie's Dismissal Represent Silencing Voices in the New Syria?
-
The decision to remove Fawakherjie from the Artists Syndicate reveals the continued approach of excluding dissenters despite the change in authority, raising fears of replacing one tyranny with anothe
The Syrian Artists Syndicate has removed actress Sulaf Fawakherjie from its lists on the pretext of her denial of the previous Syrian regime's violations, in a move that raises profound questions about the extent of the interim authorities' commitment to the principles of freedom of expression they claim to adopt.
These measures reflect the continued approach of exclusion and accusations of treachery against political dissenters, with only a change in the identity of those practicing this exclusion, threatening to establish a new cycle of polarization and societal division.
The Syrian newspaper "Al-Watan" reported the text of the syndicate's decision, which stated: "The registration of artist Sulaf Fawakherjie is deleted for deviating from the syndicate's objectives due to her insistence on denying Assad's crimes and her disregard for the pain of the Syrian people."
The wording of the decision shows exclusionary language that lacks the professionalism and neutrality expected in a syndicate institution that should represent all its members regardless of their political orientations, and respect their right to express their opinions.
The decision carried the signature of the head of the Syrian Artists Syndicate, Mazen Al-Natour, embodying the transformation of professional syndicates into political tools rather than professional bodies serving their members.
This decision highlights a stark contradiction between the slogans of freedom and democracy promoted by the new interim authorities and their actual practices that perpetuate a culture of rejection and exclusion.
Punishing artists for their opinions and political convictions represents a setback for freedom of expression, which was long advocated by opponents of the previous regime, raising fears of replacing one tyranny with another.
According to observers, there should be space for public discussion about evaluating the past and holding those responsible for crimes accountable, instead of forcibly imposing a single narrative and silencing dissenting voices through arbitrary administrative decisions.
