Syria’s new temporary constitution empowers interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa while failing to protect minority rights. It initiates a five-year transitional period following the regime change, lacks democratic principles, and emphasizes Islamic jurisprudence. Protests have emerged, particularly from Kurdish communities, expressing concerns over potential governance shifts. Experts urge for necessary guarantees for minority rights as Syria moves forward.
Syria’s newly enacted temporary constitution, established amidst the aftermath of the civil war, consolidates significant powers in the hands of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and lacks comprehensive protections for minority groups, experts caution. The declaration, signed into law, initiates a five-year transitional phase following the removal of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by Islamist-led factions.
The constitutional declaration provides the interim president with extensive authority, resulting in what constitutional law professor Sam Dallah describes as an “absolute powers” structure aimed at fostering a presidential-style governance model. Notably, the constitution does not create a position of prime minister and stipulates that elections will only occur after this period.
Under this framework, President Sharaa possesses the power to appoint one-third of the future assembly’s members and forms a committee to elect the other parliamentarians. Although the interim constitution claims to define the judiciary as “independent,” it allows presidential appointments to the Supreme Constitutional Court, raising concerns regarding the separation of powers.
Dallah argues that such concentration of power undermines democratic principles and could lead to the monopolization of governance. Additionally, the new constitution shifts a significant focus toward Islamic jurisprudence as the primary legislative source, providing no guarantees for the nation’s minorities, sparking apprehension particularly among Kurdish communities.
In response, Kurds in northeastern Syria protested against the constitution, asserting that it does not reflect the needs of minorities. The temporary constitution has received backlash from autonomous governance factions advocating for decentralization and equal power distribution. Tigrane Yegavian, a professor, indicated that minorities feel threatened under the new regime.
While Tarek al-Kurdi, a lawyer and former commission member, suggests a realistic perspective on the constitution’s context following prolonged dictatorship and conflict, the overall sentiment remains one of concern over the potential transitions within Syria moving towards an Islamic governance model.
In summary, Syria’s temporary constitution raises significant concerns as it consolidates executive power under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa without safeguarding minority rights. The document signals a shift towards Islamic jurisprudence as primary legislation and has spurred protests among Kurdish populations highlighting fears over the centralization of authority. As Syria navigates this transitional period, the necessity for equitable power distribution and protections for all citizens remains paramount.
Original Source: www.france24.com
