Syria Establishes Committee to Draft Transitional Constitutional Declaration

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced the formation of a committee to draft a constitutional declaration for the country’s transition post-Assad. The seven-member committee includes legal experts and aims to establish a legal framework for governance, reflecting the aspirations of the Syrian people after years of conflict.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting a constitutional declaration aimed at guiding the nation’s transition following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. This development marks a significant effort to rebuild Syria’s institutions after over five decades of Assad’s authoritarian rule and thirteen years of conflict.

The newly formed committee consists of seven members, including an expert in constitutional law and the only female member, Bahia Mardini, a journalist residing in Britain. The group’s primary responsibility will be to draft a constitutional declaration that will regulate the transitional phase of governance in Syria.

In January, President Sharaa, a leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham which led the charge against Assad, was appointed interim president without a defined term. The interim government has abrogated the former constitution and is expected to take up to three years to develop a new one, reflecting Sharaa’s commitment to implementing a “constitutional declaration” that will serve as a legal foundation during this transition.

The presidency emphasized that the formation of the committee was influenced by the aspirations of the Syrian populace to establish a state grounded in the rule of law. This initiative is intended to lay the groundwork for the legal framework required to regulate the transitional period effectively.

A recent national dialogue conference held in Damascus endorsed the creation of a constitutional committee aimed at drafting a permanent constitution that embodies justice, freedom, and equality, ultimately establishing a state of law.

Syria’s conflict began in 2011, spurred by Assad’s oppressive response to peaceful protests, leading to a devastating war that has caused over 500,000 fatalities and millions displaced. A caretaker government is currently in place to govern the country until a new administration is formed on March 1.

The formation of a constitutional committee in Syria marks a significant step toward establishing a legal framework to guide the nation’s transitional governance. With experts involved in the drafting process, the initiative reflects the people’s desire for justice, freedom, and equality. The rebuilding of Syria calls for a robust legal structure to support governance after decades of conflict and oppression.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com