Syria IV

The government in Syria is secular. Yet, there is an implied religion: Al-Asad’s. In Saudi Arabia, where they wrote Islamic quotes everywhere, here his holiness name (Al-Asad) is written everywhere. Wherever your eyes reach, there are his pictures, quotes, and instructions. The other parallel implied tradition is Islam. This has something to do with what Al-Asad did once he reached the presidential chair. He wanted to unify people under one them; being proud of Arabic history. Therefore, there’s a hidden instruction to praise Islam.

Syria III

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Syria is a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a significant number of women and children in the large and expanding Iraqi refugee community in Syria are reportedly forced into commercial sexual exploitation by Iraqi gangs or, in some cases, their families; women from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone are recruited for work in Syria as domestic servants, but some face conditions of involuntary servitude, including long hours, non-payment of wages, withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, threats, and physical or sexual abuse. tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Syria again failed to report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenses in 2007; in addition, the government did not offer protection services to victims of trafficking and may have arrested, prosecuted, or deported some victims for prostitution or immigration violations; Syria has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) source

Syria II

Yesterday, in a crowded market in Damascus, a girl approached to a guy next to me. The guy, around early 20s, was holding his mobile. “Are you taking images of me?” the girl says. I couldn’t believe my eyes, or ears. How come a stranger guy would take a picture for a girl walking peacefully in a market? My imagination took me a bit further for blackmailing, Arabic porno website, and sperms. The sexual harassment is very common here. This is not a solo situation. Almost every girl would receive while walking a huge amount of messages, words, and touches, they all are about sex.

Despite the relative open community, red lines are very tight. Virginity is on the top, which puts any female under big deal stress. As oriental mentality and man have a profound impact on girls’ action and behavior. I am not surprised for the deep influence of old style attitude, because the movement of culture was not accompanied by the freedom of the state. 

Syria

I

I've been to Syria too regularly. Last time was 2 or 3 years ago, and first time was like 16 or 18 years ago. My awareness has changed dramatically. However the issues there hasn’t changed, they still suffering, poverty, children labor, secret police potency, poor infrastructure, and human rights appreciation. Many issues had to be addressed during the few next days, that’s base on my observations.  

There is a huge amount of emotions which may appear over the surface when I arrive.