Riad Seif, the prominent Syrian politician, is an exceptional model of democratic civil struggle against tyranny. Born in 1946 in Damascus to a middle-class family, he embarked on a career in industry in 1963, establishing a small clothing factory that quickly became one of the most prominent ready-to-wear companies in Syria.
From Economic Entrepreneurship to Parliament:
In 1993, he obtained a license to manufacture Adidas products in Syria and successfully exported them to Europe, establishing a competing Syrian brand.
He entered the Syrian People’s Assembly in 1994 as an independent member and was re-elected in 1998. He became known for his bold positions and public criticism of corruption, particularly the monopoly of telecommunications by a company affiliated with Rami Makhlouf.
Seif’s Speech on the Damascus Spring:
In 2000, he founded the National Dialogue Forum, one of the most prominent events of the Damascus Spring, and called for an end to the Ba’ath Party’s monopoly on power. He faced regime repression and was sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to change the constitution. He was imprisoned for five years.
In 2005, he co-founded the Damascus Declaration and was elected its Secretary-General after his release in 2006. He was re-arrested in 2008 and spent eight years in prison until 2010.
From Exile to Opposition Leadership:
At the beginning of the Syrian revolution in 2011, he participated in the peaceful movement and was subjected to assault by security forces.
He left for Germany for treatment for prostate cancer, and from there, he launched an initiative to restructure the opposition with American support. He contributed to the founding of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in 2012, serving as its vice president and then president in 2017.
Honorations and Intellectual Achievements:
While in prison, he received the Weimar Human Rights Prize in 2003.
In 2020, he published his book “Autobiography and Testimony for History,” documenting his political journey and struggle against tyranny.
Returning Home and Building for Tomorrow:
He returned to Damascus after the fall of the regime, reclaimed his property, and reopened the Democratic Dialogue Forum in his home as a platform for transitional justice and civil peace.
He expressed optimism about Syria’s future, calling for the drafting of a new constitution that guarantees human rights and equal citizenship.
He emphasized his willingness to oppose any authority that deviates from democratic principles, despite his respect for the new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom he called “the Sheikh of Knights.”
Honoring the Syrian Future Movement:
We, in the Syrian Future Movement, based on our deep belief in the importance of political and intellectual struggle, and in appreciation of the patriotic stances that confronted tyranny with justice, today honor Professor Riad Seif by awarding him the movement’s symbolic shield. This honor recognizes his stature, his pioneering role in supporting the Syrian revolution, and his determination to serve humanity and the nation through words, stances, and history.
