Syria’s national dialogue conference begins Monday, focusing on political restructuring post-Assad. Set for extensive discussions on justice, constitution, and reform, it will produce nonbinding recommendations for leaders. Planning faced uncertainties, but civic engagement remains emphasized, with notable exclusion of Kurdish groups. The conference follows HTS establishing a temporary administration amid significant transitional efforts.
Syria is set to commence its long-anticipated national dialogue conference on Monday as preparations have been underway to shape the nation’s political direction following the removal of former President Bashar Assad. The conference aims to enhance the prospects for political stability by addressing crucial issues on transitional justice, constitutional reform, and institutional building.
The main discussions are scheduled for Tuesday, involving workshops that will cover personal freedoms, civil society’s role, and economic reforms. The recommendations resulting from this conference will not be legally binding, serving merely as guidance for the newly established leadership that has emerged after Assad’s regime.
Initially proposed post-Assad’s fall, the timing of the conference was uncertain until the announcement just a day prior to the start. Consequently, spokesperson Hassan al-Daghim noted that the exact number of participants, expected to be between 400 and 1,000, had not yet been finalized, indicating ongoing deliberations about citizen involvement in the political process.
The organizing committee claims to have conducted over 30 meetings across Syria’s provinces prior to the conference to ensure diverse representation from various Syrian societal components. Thousands participated, urging for a temporary constitutional framework, economic strategies, and improvements in government sector structures enhancing public involvement and security.
Post-Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main rebel faction, established an interim regime largely comprised of its governance structures from northwestern Syria. In January, Ahmad al-Sharaa was appointed interim president, uniting former rebel factions towards a consensus on abolishing the existing constitution and integrating armed groups into new national institutions.
Significantly, while armed groups agreed to dissolve, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which hold influence in northeastern Syria, were excluded from the dialogue, raising questions regarding representation among all Syrian factions and the inclusive nature of the ongoing reforms.
The national dialogue conference in Syria represents a pivotal step in reshaping the nation’s political landscape following the fall of Bashar Assad. It aims to engage citizens in discussions about transitional justice, constitutional reforms, and economic improvements. However, the absence of Kurdish forces highlights challenges in ensuring comprehensive representation, which could affect the outcomes of this transitional period. The conference’s recommendations, although nonbinding, could provide crucial guidance for Syria’s emerging leadership as they seek stability and governance reforms.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
