The newly established committee in Syria will draft a constitutional declaration to oversee the country’s transition post-Assad. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized the significance of legal frameworks for rebuilding governance. Key members include law experts, with initial proposals expected without a specified deadline. The formation follows a national dialogue focusing on justice and equality, amidst ongoing challenges from the civil conflict.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the creation of a committee tasked with drafting a constitutional declaration aimed at guiding the country’s transition following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The focus of the new government is to rebuild Syria and restore institutions after Assad’s removal on December 8, after over 50 years of governance by his family and 13 years of civil war.
The presidency announced the formation of a seven-member expert committee, which includes one woman, responsible for drafting the transitional constitutional framework. This committee will present its proposals to the president; however, the specific timeline for their work has not been disclosed. In January, Sharaa, who leads the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was appointed interim president for an indeterminate duration.
With the annulment of the Assad-era constitution, Sharaa indicated that rewriting the constitution could take up to three years. He emphasized the importance of a “constitutional declaration” to serve as a legal reference during the transitional period. The announcement reflects the desires of the Syrian populace to establish a state governed by the rule of law following a national dialogue conference held recently.
The committee includes notable experts in law, such as Abdul Hamid al-Awak and Yasser al-Huwaish, who have extensive academic backgrounds. Additionally, Bahia Mardini is the committee’s only female member, a journalist with a law doctorate residing in Britain. Another member, Ismail al-Khalfan, is the newly appointed dean of law at Aleppo University.
A recent national dialogue conference called for the establishment of a constitutional committee to draft a permanent constitution that balances governmental powers while ensuring justice, freedom, and equality. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 after Assad’s suppression of protests, has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and significant displacement, crippling the country’s economy and infrastructure. In December, a caretaker government was tasked with managing the nation until a new government is formed by March 1.
Syria has formed a constitutional drafting committee to guide the transitional phase following Bashar al-Assad’s removal. This committee aims to develop a legal framework that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people post-conflict. As the country attempts to rebuild its institutions, there remain significant challenges ahead, given the extensive impact of years of civil war and its aftermath.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
