The speech of our Chairman Dr. Haytham Alhamwi to commemorate the beginning of a new era in Syria.
A Historic Evening in Parliament: Celebrating Freedom and Syria's New Beginning
On Monday, January 13th, we witnessed a momentous occasion in the halls of Parliament, graciously hosted by the esteemed David Taylor MP, to celebrate the end of the Assad regime. The event was graced by the presence of Minister Hamish Falconer, Special Representative for Syria Ann Snow, and Members of Parliament from across various parties, all of whom stood united in marking this moment of triumph and hope.
Representatives from the Qatari, Japanese, French, German, Turkish, Jordanian, and United States embassies joined Syrian activists and UK-based leaders who have tirelessly championed the cause of freedom and justice for years. Their presence was a powerful symbol of international unity and shared hope for a prosperous future for Syria.
Ibrahim Olabi, a member of the Syrian British Consortium's board, delivered a poignant speech on behalf of Dr. Haytham Al Hamwi, the SBC’s Chairman. His address eloquently captured the resilience, pain, and enduring hope of the Syrian people as they reflected on the fall of a brutal dictatorship while honoring allies like the late MP Jo Cox. A solemn moment of silence was observed to honor those lost to Assad’s regime, whose sacrifices guide the path forward.
For the first time in Parliament, Syrians gathered not to plead for help but to celebrate freedom and envision a brighter, united future.
To read Dr. Haytham Al Hamwi's Full Speech, See Below:
"Honourable MPs, distinguished ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen,Good evening!
On behalf of the Syrian British Consortium, I would like to welcome you all to this evening of celebration.
To begin, I must express my sincere thanks to our friend David for facilitating this event. We have had a strong relationship with David long before he became an MP, and through the LCID, he made great efforts to provide Syrians with platforms to engage with members of the Labour Party—at a time when it was difficult to have meaningful discussions with the party’s leadership. So, thank you, David. We do not forget our friends.
For 14 years, we Syrians have come to this Parliament to hold events and activities, reminding UK politicians of the suffering of the Syrian people and the crimes of the Assad regime against them. I still vividly remember my visit to one of the MPs in 2015. He was insistent on the idea of a political solution, while I maintained that without civilian protection, no political solution would ever be achieved. He dismissed my argument and, in a rather rude manner, showed me the door. A few months later, he used my exact words in front of the House of Commons to persuade the UK Government to take action in protecting the people of Aleppo from the brutal bombardment of the Russian and Assad armies. But, of course, by then, it was too late.
In 2018, we brought Caesar to Parliament to share the harrowing photos he had smuggled out of Assad’s prisons—50,000 images of 11,000 detainees who were killed under torture. Some MPs came and listened, while others questioned his testimony. I wonder if those MPs later saw the footage from those prisons after the fall of the Assad regime. Do they still have any doubts about what Caesar shared with them in 2018?
After the fall of Assad on the 8th of December, I have a wish—and I know many Syrians share this wish—to have a memory eraser to wipe away all the suffering from our minds and hearts. To erase the moments we cried in front of others while speaking about our missing relatives. To forget the times we begged leaders and ministers to take action to help us. But sadly, such an eraser does not exist.
Therefore, let us make up for it by celebrating the joyful moments we are experiencing today.
This evening, we are here to celebrate the fall of Assad. Today, we celebrate the hope for a new beginning in Syria. Today, we celebrate the fact that we can ask you—MPs, ministers, and representatives of countries—not to cry with us or listen to our sorrowful stories, but to join us in celebration. And to strengthen the goodwill and relationships that will support the rebuilding of a new Syria.
As I said at the beginning, we Syrians do not forget our friends, especially those who stood by us during the darkest times of the last 14 years. In honour of one such friend, I ask you to observe a minute's silence in memory of the late MP Jo Cox, a true friend of the Syrian people.
Thank you all for attending this evening. I hope you have a joyful and informative time with us."
Dr. Haytham Al Hamwi
13 January 2025
For More Shots from the Event: 📸 Facebook, 🐦 X Platform (formerly Twitter) .
Comentários