Riad Hammoud Darar (Arabic: رياض حمود دارار, born 1954) is a Syrian opposition political and social activist and author from Deir ez-Zor. He was a proponent of human rights for Kurds in Syria since 2000. During his activism, he was imprisoned by the Syrian government for 5 years and was released in 2010.[2] On 25 February 2017, he was elected as the co-leader of the Syrian Democratic Council.[1]
Riad Hammoud Darar | |
|---|---|
رياض حمود دارار | |
| Co-leader of the Syrian Democratic Council | |
| Assumed office 25 February 2017 Serving with Amina Omar | |
| Preceded by | Haytham Manna |
| Founding member of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change | |
| In office June 2011 – August 2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1954 (age 69–70) Deir ez-Zor, Second Syrian Republic |
| Alma mater | Bachelor's degree on Arabic language in Damascus University[1] |
Early life
editRiad Darar was born in Deir ez-Zor in 1954. He received a bachelor's degree on Arabic language some time later, and became a preacher and an imam at a mosque in Deir ez-Zor.[1]
Political career
editSince 2000, Riad Darar became a political activist and began to work with various non-governmental organizations.[1] After an uprising by Kurds in Syria in 2004, Mashouq al-Khaznawi, a Kurdish Sufi religious leader, was arrested and assassinated by the Syrian military intelligence in May 2005. Riad Darar was among those who were present at al-Khaznawi's funeral, and gave a speech. The next month, Darar was arrested.[2] On 2 April 2006, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Supreme State Security Court.[3]
On 10 June 2010, Riad Darar was released from prison.[3] In June 2011, during the early phase of the Syrian uprising, he became a founding member of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, a Syrian opposition bloc.[1] Riad Darar became one of the major figures in the Syrian opposition.[4] In August 2014, he resigned from the NCC due to the lack of unity.[5]
On 25 February 2017, during the second conference of the Syrian Democratic Council in al-Malikiyah, Riad Darar was elected as the co-leader of the SDC, replacing Haytham Manna, another former NCC member who resigned from the SDC. Riad Darar then announced his support for federalism and democracy in Syria,[1] including in Deir ez-Zor.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Sardar Mlla Drwish (27 March 2017). "What federalism would mean for northern Syria". Al-Monitor.
- ^ a b Tejel, Jordi (29 August 2008). Syria's Kurds: History, Politics and Society. Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 978-1134096435.
- ^ a b "Riad Darar Released". Syrian Human Rights Committee. 11 June 2010.
- ^ "Wissam Sara Unites Syrians in Mourning". Syria Untold. 4 February 2014.
- ^ a b Abdullah Ghadawi (5 March 2017). "Co-leader of Syrian Democratic Council says federalism is adequate choice: INTERVIEW". Zaman al-Wasl.