On March 13, 2025, Syrian interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa signed a constitution that establishes Islamist governance for five years, following the overthrow of Bashar Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The constitution maintains Islamic law as a core principle while promoting individual freedoms. Concerns about governance inclusivity and minority rights are prominent, alongside ongoing international scrutiny regarding Syria’s political reforms.
On March 13, 2025, Syria’s interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa signed a temporary constitution that places the country under Islamist rule for five years amidst a transitional phase. This decision follows the ousting of former leader Bashar Assad by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) during a swift rebellion. Al-Sharaa, formerly an HTS leader, was appointed interim president after discussions among various armed factions involved in the offensive against Assad.
The newly signed constitution repeals the old one, with many citizens expressing relief over the end of over 50 years of authoritarian rule under the Assad regime. However, religious and ethnic minorities remain cautious, fearing the dominance of Islamist governance and are unwilling to concede authority to the new leaders in their respective areas.
Abdulhamid Al-Awak, part of the committee responsible for drafting the temporary constitution, indicated that it retains certain principles from its predecessor. Notably, it stipulates that the head of state must be Muslim, with Islamic law serving as the primary legal foundation. Nonetheless, it also emphasizes freedom of expression and the press, attempting to strike a balance between social security and individual liberties during Syria’s precarious political climate.
A future committee is expected to draft a permanent constitution, though the inclusivity of this new document regarding Syria’s diverse political and ethnic landscape remains uncertain. Concurrently, Al-Sharaa reached a significant accord with Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria to combine their armed forces with the central government’s, following violent insurgencies tied to pro-Assad factions.
The temporary constitution aims to establish a timeline for Syria’s political evolution, with Al-Sharaa suggesting that revising the constitution may take three years, and organizing elections could extend to five years. Following a national dialogue conference, a committee was formed to draft the new constitution, though critics of the conference argue that it lacked representation for various ethnic and sectarian groups, as well as civil society.
The United States and European nations maintain stringent sanctions against Syria and express hesitance in lifting them until they observe a commitment from the new leadership to foster an inclusive political environment and safeguard minority rights. Al-Sharaa, along with regional governments, continues to advocate for a reassessment of these sanctions to prevent further economic collapse and instability in the country.
The signing of a temporary constitution in Syria marks a pivotal shift towards Islamist rule under interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa for a five-year transitional period. Although many welcome the end of Assad’s dictatorship, significant concerns persist among minority groups regarding their representation and rights. The constitution aims to balance Islamic law with individual freedoms, but the effectiveness of future governance and its inclusivity remains uncertain, particularly in light of external pressures from the international community regarding political reforms and minority protections.
Original Source: apnews.com
