The new project ‘Syrian Voices for an Inclusive Constitution’ has been brought to life by Syrians for Truth and Justice – STJ, as a response to the new international developments related to the Syrian constitution.
The Syrian Constitutional Committee has been created by the international community to initiate an inclusive process for creating a new or amended constitution, or for ensuring a transitional period leading up to a new/amended constitution. The United Nations’ Secretary General Gutteres said the following about this development during the 74th UN General Assembly in New York:
“I’m pleased to announce the agreement of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Negotiations Commission for a credible, balanced and inclusive Constitutional Committee that will be facilitated by the UN in Geneva … I firmly believe that the launching of a Syrian-organised and Syrian-led constitutional committee can be the beginning of a political path towards a solution [to the conflict].”
These new international developments towards constitution making for Syria pose opportunities and challenges. One continuing challenge remains the participation and inclusion, namely largest degree of representation of Syrians, particularly vulnerable groups within the country.
Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) considers participation to be fundamentally important to a democracy. This project is therefore created to ensure early participation of various Syrian groups and segments, especially for those people and groups that do not believe to be represented by the Committee.
From April to November 2020, consultations will be held throughout the country, particularly in northeastern and western territories, and a wide spread of themes will be covered that are related to the new constitution. The main themes we have included in the process so far are:
- citizenship,
- distribution of power,
- a transitional constitution process for Syria,
- and the inclusion of social and environmental justice.
We will collect data that reflects the opinions of those that are often not heard. We will then distribute those within our network and to those directly involved in the constitution-making process.
We will keep you updated through our social media platforms and this website. Special measures that are in line with the WHO’s suggestions will be taken to deal with the current Coronavirus outbreak.
If there are any questions regarding this project, or suggestions for collaborations, feel free to contact us at any time via the following email: editor@stj-sy.org.
Supported by: National Endowment for Democracy (NED)