Syria’s interim president has signed a temporary constitution establishing Islamist rule for five years, following the overthrow of Bashar Assad. Concerns linger over the impact on religious and ethnic minorities, while the constitution includes Islamic law and provisions for freedom of expression. A new committee will draft a permanent constitution, and international reactions focus on ensuring inclusivity in Syria’s governance. Additionally, the region faces heightened tensions, illustrated by an Israeli airstrike targeting Palestinian militants in Damascus.
On Thursday, Syria’s interim president signed a temporary constitution establishing Islamist rule for five years amid a transitional period. The interim government faces challenges asserting authority throughout Syria following the ousting of President Bashar Assad by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former HTS leader, assumed the presidency after a meeting of armed factions involved in the offensive against Assad, where it was decided to draft a new constitution and repeal the predecessor.
While the removal of Assad’s long-standing governance is welcomed by some, it has raised concerns among religious and ethnic minorities regarding the transition to Islamist leadership. Abdulhamid Al-Awak, a member of the drafting committee, noted that the temporary constitution retains certain provisions from the previous one, including the requirement that the head of state be Muslim and recognize Islamic law as the primary legal framework. However, he assured that freedoms of expression and the media are also addressed in the new document.
A new committee will be set up to draft a permanent constitution, although its inclusivity toward Syria’s diverse political and ethnic factions remains uncertain. Al-Sharaa recently forged a significant agreement with U.S.-backed Kurdish forces, addressing a ceasefire and unifying military efforts with the central government, amidst escalated violence linked to Assad’s loyalists.
The interim constitution aims to establish a timeline for Syria’s political evolution, projecting a three-year period for constitutional rewriting and up to five years for national elections. While a national dialogue conference was conducted, it faced criticism for not adequately incorporating various ethnic and civil voices in Syria.
The international community, particularly the U.S. and Europe, is cautious about lifting sanctions imposed during Assad’s regime, emphasizing the necessity for an inclusive governance structure to protect minority interests. Concurrently, tensions with Israel escalated following an airstrike targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad command center in a Damascus suburb, highlighting ongoing regional conflicts that compound Syria’s precarious situation.
In summary, Syria’s signing of a temporary constitution under Islamist leadership marks a significant political shift following the ousting of President Assad. While the move is seen positively by some, concerns persist regarding the inclusivity in governance, especially for minority groups. The constitution’s provisions balancing Islamic law with civil liberties and the promised timeline for future elections raise vital questions about the country’s stability and governance moving forward. The international community remains vigilant, awaiting evidence of a true commitment to an inclusive political system.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
