Canadian Lawyer

"i represent Syria as a country notwithstanding what government is in place." which outlines her appointment. "In the West, there was nothing," she is quoted in the article as saying. "So in November 2008, I invited the [Syrian] ambassador to come out and see us. I organized a reception and invited all the Syrians in B.C. Creating a list of Syrians was more difficult than getting 100 monkeys down from a tree — there is always this fear when you ask for names to add to a list. But the event was a real success. The ambassador met people who had issues. He started working with me regarding these people and the idea for having an honorary consul in B.C. entered his head. He proposed it to the minister and like anything else, we had to go through bureaucracy. In May 2009, I was appointed as honorary consul for Syria." Habbal defends her role as one of serving the Syrian community in B.C., promoting cultural and commercial related ventures between Canada and Syria. She promotes the country, she insists, not a political ideology. "There is a huge difference," she tells Canadian Lawyer. Syria, she says, is an ancient country and was ruled by many empires, foreign countries, and governments but through it all has retained its original name over these transitions. "I represent Syria as a country notwithstanding what government is in place." In an interview, Habbal says she is refusing to resign or let the protests and threats intimidate her. She believes there is only a "small percentage" of individuals who are behind them, noting in her position she is always careful to keep her opinions to herself. She still has family in Syria and like many Syrians they are caught in a hard place today. Government or rebels within the country can incorrectly construe any public comments she may make and turn it back on her family. "I did lose family members and it is a miserable thing," she said of the strife that is now escalating in her native country, drawing in countries such as neighbouring Turkey. She believes most of the Syrian community wants to see her remain in the post. She remains the link to the country other than contacting eastern Canada representatives. Today, individuals are still travelling to and from Syria to visit or conduct business as conflicts are localized. The country's civil service is still intact and functioning to process visas or providing information on family members, she says. "If I was not here," she says, "then, where would people go?" The fact she also speaks Arabic is another reason she has remained in place helping her community, she says. It allows her to provide the legal counsel and help needed on documents as well as translation. Habbal maintains that she is foremost "an officer of the court" and while she uses her diplomacy to wind her way through the turmoil that has affected her country, she also uses her legal code of ethics. "Because I am a lawyer, I honour that whatever they tell me is privileged. We don't gossip." Habbal, who is a mediator as well, has attempted to organize meetings with those upset about her position here, but they have dissolved into political debates so she has opted out. She believes a few extremists or religious ferrets lead these groups. "It is often the same people," she says, adding Syria is a country that in the past has shown religious tolerance. She points to the alleged Amnesty International protest outside her office last year that hit headlines as its leaders called for her resignation. She didn't believe it was Amnesty International inspired. "They never wrote to me or approached me," she said. Canadian Lawyer contacted the media relations officer for Amnesty in Ottawa, who said there was no record of the Vancouver office staging a protest and asking for Habbal's resignation. "Asking for a resignation is not something that we would normally do," said spokesman John Tackaberry. Habbal says most Syrians are saddened by the violence as it is foreign to a country where towns such as Damascus, where Habbal grew up, were peaceful and safe. "A woman could walk at 4 in the morning without any problems," she says. But with today's civil strife has also emerged a lawlessness that has changed life for many people — and the situation is worsening. "It is becoming bigger, it is not just me and my country, it's becoming a worldwide situation," she says, adding she would favour Canada taking a peacekeeping role in her country. "I am proud to serve my community," Habbal contends, but she is also hopeful that a peaceful resolve for Syria emerges. She admits she, like many Syrians, is left wondering when that time might come. But, as someone with deep roots in the Middle East, she says she does know one thing: "Violence doesn't bring anything but more violence." A DAily Blog of CAnADiAn legAl news PowereD By CAnADiAn lAwyer & lAw times [ www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds ] www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m Jan uary 2013 25

• Cover