Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration that aims to lay the groundwork for a five-year transitional period, focusing on justice, women’s rights, and freedom of expression. This follows significant violence in Syria, raising concerns about inclusivity and the declaration’s effectiveness in realizing genuine democracy.
On Thursday, Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration, heralding a hoped-for beginning of “a new history” for Syria. This declaration lays the framework for a five-year transitional period and includes provisions for women’s rights and freedom of expression, marking a pivotal change following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s administration.
The decree emerges in the wake of significant violence on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, which resulted in over 800 extrajudicial killings, predominantly targeting the Alawite minority affiliated with the former regime. Sharaa expressed his aspirations for this document to replace oppression with justice and alleviate suffering.
The new authorities have repealed the previous constitution and dissolved parliament, as this declaration establishes a transitional period. It proposes the formation of a transitional justice commission, which aims to address accountability and honor the victims of the former regime’s actions, emphasizing women’s rights to education and political participation as essential components.
Furthermore, the declaration stipulates that the presidency remains reserved for a Muslim and that Islamic law should be the primary source of legislation. It specifies the establishment of a supreme electoral committee responsible for overseeing legislative elections. Notably, the declaration preserves the president’s exclusive power to declare a state of emergency.
The Kurdish-led administration of northeastern Syria criticized the declaration for failing to reflect Syria’s diversity, emphasizing its insufficiency in representing various ethnic groups. In contrast, a UN spokesman articulated the hope that the declaration could provide a robust legal foundation for a genuine political transition, underlining the importance of proper execution to achieve credibility.
Amid recent violence, Sharaa committed to ensuring justice for the perpetrators of the attacks, while the UN Secretary-General emphasized the necessity for accountability and collaboration among Syrians to foster an inclusive political transition to aid in Syria’s long-term recovery.
In summary, the signing of the constitutional declaration by Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa marks a significant transition for the nation, emphasizing the importance of justice, women’s rights, and political freedom. However, the declaration faces criticism for its limited inclusivity and the ongoing violence in the region raises questions about its implementation and effectiveness in establishing true democracy. Continued international oversight will be vital in ensuring that these aspirations are realized.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
