Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration aimed at establishing a five-year transitional period, which includes commitments to women’s rights and freedom of expression, while facing backlash from Kurdish leaders regarding its inclusivity and representation of Syria’s diverse populace. The declaration follows recent violence that led to over 800 deaths, raising concerns over its implementation and the transitional process.
On Thursday, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration aimed at shaping a five-year transitional period. This landmark document emphasizes women’s rights, freedom of expression, and the establishment of a transitional justice commission to address the past injustices of the ousted regime. Al-Sharaa heralded this event as the commencement of a “new history” for Syria, signaling a shift from oppression to justice.
The announcement follows the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government by Islamist-led rebels, which has heightened demands for an inclusive governance structure that respects diverse rights within the nation. The newly adopted declaration replaces the previous constitution, and includes provisions for appointing a supreme electoral committee to oversee legislative elections, while upholding the president’s exceptional power to declare a state of emergency.
Significantly, the declaration retains requirements for the president to be a Muslim, with Islamic law as a primary source of legislation, while advocating for the absolute separation of powers. It also provides for a proportion of the legislative assembly to be appointed by the president and indicates that the assembly cannot impeach the president, reinforcing his authority during the transitional phase.
Nonetheless, the declaration has drawn criticism from the Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria, which argues that it fails to represent the country’s diverse population, including Kurds, Arabs, and other ethnic groups. The Kurdish administration asserts that this document contradicts the aspirations of the Syrian populace and undermines credible democratic efforts.
In light of ongoing violence, particularly following the killings of over 800 individuals, predominantly Alawites, the UN has called for a credible investigation into these acts while expressing hope that the new constitutional framework may facilitate a legitimate political transition. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the necessity of accountability and support for national healing in the aftermath of the violence.
Ahmed al-Sharaa has committed to prosecuting those responsible for the recent massacres and has taken steps towards making several arrests as part of the effort to restore order and accountability during this transitional period.
In summary, the signing of the constitutional declaration by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa marks a significant development in Syria’s political landscape, promising a five-year transition fostered by principles of justice, women’s rights, and freedom of expression. While there are aspirations for an inclusive governance model, challenges such as ethnic representation and recent violent incidents pose serious threats to achieving a successful transition. International observers, including the UN, underscore the importance of implementing these constitutional provisions to ensure a credible movement towards democracy and national healing.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
