Future Movement’s Apartheid in Tripoli

Ali Obani




As if the calamities of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon needed only the Future Movement's attacks to reach the climax.

On Monday, a Syrian man identified as Y. Y. was captured at al-Nahhasin market in Tripoli, while he was using his cellphone, at the hands of gangs from the area.
They stripped him off his clothes, beat him up, put a rope around his neck and dragged him in the street after they wrote slogans on his body.

Meanwhile, Tripoli's political and Human Rights' circles denounced the attack, describing it as an "apartheid" action, recalling back the white minorities' discrimination in South Africa forty years ago.
Human rights sources in the Lebanese North slammed the "militia" incident, considering it "strange from Tripoli's heritage.

"Intruders in the city, who belong to the so-called Free Syrian Army and other extremist groups are responsible for militia actions," the sources elaborated, noting that "they attack anyone who disagrees with their opinion."
They further warned that "their extremist and sectarian behavior will drag discord to the country."
In parallel, well-informed legal sources condemned the attack, describing Tripoli's people as "open scholars and scientists."

"What the city is witnessing from abnormal and strange security actions is caused by waves of extremist thinking waging the Northern capital and its people," the sources mentioned.
In this context, they wondered: "Is it possible that things reached this level i.e. to the extent that a person is attacked based on his religion?"

"Should the Lebanese citizen, whom the constitution guarantees him freedom of belief and movement, restore to hiding his religion, affiliation and sect once he want to move in Tripoli's streets?" the sources asked.
This comes as Tripoli's atmosphere became prevailed with caution and worrisome. "A lot of people who are accustomed to visit Tripoli refrained recently from visiting the city while others took extreme caution on the roads."
Commenting on the attack on the Syrian refugee in Tripoli, particularly writing the words "Shabihhate" on the man's body, legal sources confirmed that the Lebanese laws as well as all the international covenants ensure the freedom of religion and belief.

"This is a serious provocation that hits the foundations of the Lebanese fabric and threatens with dangerous repercussions," they added.

In parallel, they urged the Lebanese state, represented by the Interior and Justice ministries to take all the necessary measures against the aggressors, by prosecuting and holding them accountable.
Tripoli's figures held "The Future" Movement responsible to such racist and provocative actions.

They also reminded that Tripoli is witnessing an ethnic cleansing campaign. "He, who is against the blue movement, is doomed either to leave the city voluntarily or under the pressure of threatening his interests."
They recalled the burning of many political parties' offices in the city as well as shops belonging to the Alawite sect's people in Bab al-Tabbaneh.

Moreover, sources viewed that the Future Movement is responsible for all the sectarian events in Tripoli.
"The party's military and executive branches became famous in causing the wreak havoc and devastation. This includes the groups of Amied Hammoud and other groups affiliated with General Director of the Internal Security Forces, Ashraf Rifi," they clarified.

Furthermore, Tripoli's sources revealed that "after his retirement, it seems that Rifi turned to leading Tripoli's bandits, among which is the group that heinously attacked the Syrian man."

"Is this the culture and the state-building that the Future Movement allegedly claimed to form the basics of its performances?" the sources wondered, and pointed out "Tripoli's devastation comes from such acts.

"Enough for Tripoli! Since 1975, we are at war .. Allow this county and our children to live safely ."

Source: al-Ahed news, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org