The mechanism of formation and work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee

The constitution forms the basis of the political system of any state. It includes the principles and values ​​that regulate society, and defines the powers and limits of the ruling political authority, and the relations of the three authorities to each other (judicial, legislative, and executive). It defines the model of its accountability mechanism and implies a symbolic authority that can unite any country, even if it is as diverse as Syria.

Furthermore, it is the Constitution that guarantees the rights of citizens and supports them in all countries of the world, but its misuse hinders this matter.

In areas witnessing conflicts such as Syria, any change that may occur to the constitution (such as amending it or drafting a completely new one), will draw the road map for the country for decades. Substantively and seriously, it will contribute significantly to bringing the country to the path of democracy and peace.

In recognition of the foundational role that the constitution plays and the importance of building a just constitution, the Syrian Constitutional Committee was formed under UN auspices, composed of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the opposition Syrian Negotiations Committee, along with civil society. This was done through a process facilitated by the United Nations that recognized the establishment of the committee under Resolution 2254 and organized its first meeting in 2019, during which the Constituent Assembly announced the beginning of seeking amendments to the current constitution or drafting a new constitution as part of the path towards national peace and stability. [1]

While United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the constitutional endeavors as part of a peace process owned and led by the Syrians, there was a great deal of controversy surrounding the categories of the Syrian people represented in the Constitutional Committee and the role played by foreign powers in choosing them. It happened that both Turkey and Russia interfered in the process of selecting the participating members of the Constitutional Committee, which makes it clear that the influence of foreign powers did not stop at the Syrian conflict only, but extended to the peacebuilding process in Syria.