8 minute read
SUCCESS STORY
HUMAN RIGHTS defender
Lawyer Ghuna Bdiwi fought for freedom in her country of Syria, and now volunteers her legal expertise to Canadians wishing to sponsor Syrian refugees
By Vivien Fellegi Photos by Alessandro Shinoda
Ghuna Bdiwi was a commercial lawyer with a cushy practice when the Syrian revolution of 2011 shattered her comfortable life. From her window at home, she remembers gazing proudly as youth decorated in the colours of the revolutionary fl ag marched rhythmically back and forth chanting “Freedom” at the top of their lungs. She also remembers witnessing a crowd of peaceful protesters mowed down by security forces. She beckoned to them to come into her home, but they scattered in panic.
Shortly after, she saw the smug face of her country’s leader, Bashar al-Assad, broadcast on television as he denied the legitimate demands of her people. That’s when she realized that she just couldn’t watch the uprising from the sidelines anymore. “I had to defend those people because they’re right. I wanted my country to live in freedom and dignity,” she says. So she abandoned the legal needs of her clientele made up of fi nanciers and banks, and sprang to the defence of the dissidents.
Bdiwi explains that the Syrian uprising began as a peaceful movement demanding dignity and freedom from the authoritarian president. “We were optimistic at the beginning,” she says. But the hope for reform was summarily squashed as Assad’s iron fi st cracked down on everyone who dared to oppose him. Protesters were either shot or thrown into prison. Bdiwi migrated to the safety of Canada, but has continued to help her compatriots from here.
On Dec. 13, 2015, the attorney was honoured with the International Human Rights Award bestowed by the International Center for Human Rights. The award is given to activists fi ghting for freedom in countries where liberty is in short supply. Bdiwi was characteristically humble when she found out about the honour. “I feel that this award has to go to Syrian activists who are still inside Syria,” says Bdiwi.
It was her legal expertise that allowed her to make a difference in the fi ght for freedom back then and still today. “I always felt obliged to help people,” Bdiwi says, and becoming a lawyer was an obvious path for her to achieve that. “My mom was a lawyer — it was something in my blood,” she says. Bdiwi used to listen spellbound as her mother, a criminal attorney, told stories at the dinner table about her work protecting clients. Her mother taught her not only the basics of the law, but also its ethical mandate.
In high school she would protect her fellow students from instructors who either ignored them or were rude to them. “I used to tell my teachers that they’re behaving illegally and if they don’t respect the law, I’m going to tell the minister about them,” she says. Bdiwi’s mother would laugh and tell her she had the feisty personality of a lawyer.
Bdiwi turned her legal talent toward a much more challenging fi ght for justice, of course. “I dedicated my life to advocate for the non-violent uprising in Syria,” she says. She organized workshops on >>
above Ghuna Bdiwi found her footing in Canada going back to school as a PhD candidate at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.
<< freedom and democracy to educate the activists about their rights. freedom and democracy to educate the activists about their rights. She organized a group of lawyers to defend the revolutionaries, and she She organized a group of lawyers to defend the revolutionaries, and she personally represented cases that other attorneys didn’t dare touch, including that of youth who had been tortured by the government.
Her proudest accomplishment was rescuing a close friend from prison. Farah, whose name means “happiness” in Arabic, was an optimist who believed that the revolution would achieve its goals. Her only crime had been to deliver food and medicine to the revolutionaries hiding from the security intelligence. Bdiwi submitted petitions to the authorities, pleading with them to release her. It worked. Her friend was discharged from prison after three months of incarceration. Even after serving jail time, she was still positive. As she hugged Bdiwi, she told her, “It was fun being inside because I was able to have a new experience in life.” But Bdiwi was profoundly relieved. “I felt very good — you can’t do a lot in Syria,” she says.
But these triumphs were few and far between. In many cases, President Assad’s opponents simply vanished, and the best Bdiwi could do was track down the detention centres where they were held and inform their desperate families of their location. “It was painful for me because we were not really able to accomplish all the work we wanted to do,” she says. “But at least we were able to sometimes make a small change.”
As the revolution progressed, Bdiwi’s work grew increasingly dangerous. The president’s regime began detaining Bdiwi’s lawyer friends, and she knew her number was up. But, despite the risks, Bdiwi claims she was never afraid. “When you’re looking to help your country, you don’t care about your life,” she says. Far from fearing for her safety, she cherished the chance to raise her voice and say “No” to corruption, she says. “The revolution was like love — it was the most glorious time of my life.” But Bdiwi was also a mother, and she knew she had to protect her daughter from the perils she shrugged off. So Bdiwi and her daughter, Mai, fl ed to Canada in December 2012.
Bdiwi encountered a whole new set of challenges in her adopted homeland. “It was not easy for me at all,” she says. “I had to start from scratch.” Leaving behind all her friends and family was tough, especially as she continued to worry about their welfare. She missed the spicy Middle Eastern tinued to worry about their welfare. She missed the spicy Middle Eastern food, the warm weather and the joyous culture of her homeland. Most of food, the warm weather and the joyous culture of her homeland. Most of all, she felt lonely. “Back home I had many friends and relatives. It was so hard to be alone,” she says.
Bdiwi found her footing by going back to school. York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, where she was accepted to pursue a PhD, became a second home. Professors and colleagues gave her a warm welcome, she says. They helped her with her legal research and often invited her home for dinner. She spent hours in the library, relearning the principles of law from a Canadian perspective. There was no time to feel sorry for herself.
Bdiwi also nurtured her bond with her daughter, and her interest in her mother’s work. Even back in Syria, Mai was listening to her mother’s television show on legal matters. By age nine, she was an expert on family law cases. Now, in Canada, Bdiwi takes Mai to conferences and on business trips. Not surprisingly, Mai wants to grow up to be a lawyer. “We have the same relationship as my mom and I had,” says Bdiwi. “She’s very close to me.”
Today, Bdiwi feels hopeful about her future. Since her arrival in Toronto three years ago, she has been awarded several fellowships, has won numerous awards and has completed her master’s in law. For her PhD she is trying to pin down the basis on which war criminals should be punished. This research will help politicians and lawyers determine whether dictators like Assad should be jailed or granted mercy. Bdiwi hopes this knowledge will one day help her native country. “It is very important,” she says. “We can’t carry weapons, but we can carry pens and we can use research to rebuild our country,” she says.
Meanwhile, Bdiwi continues to help her compatriots in need, volunteering her legal expertise to Canadians wishing to sponsor their Syrian relatives. To her, their relief and gratitude is more than enough payment. “When I see people happy and safe and able to come here, I feel happy. That’s my money,” she says.
Bdiwi believes all newcomers to Canada can build a satisfying life here. “Everyone in Canada is helpful, and if you work hard you will fi nd your destiny for sure.”
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