Based on consultations with over 600 diverse Syrians
Conducted by the Syrian Civic Platform
March, 2018
Since its inception, the Syrian Civic Platform (SCP) has worked to convey the voices of civilians to decision-makers at all levels, aiming to include their views in any political transition process to ensure a genuine transition that reflects civilians’ needs and demands. This file was formulated in line with the same vision. SCP members have worked diligently to hold consultation sessions with more than 600 local community members in all areas they have access to, both inside Syria and in the neighboring countries. The aim was to explore Syrians’ opinions regarding the political process, and particularly what kind of process they hope to witness.
The more than 70 consultation sessions were based on the four agenda ‘baskets’ presented by Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria, at the end of 2015, and centered on the themes of constitution, national dialogue, elections, governance, and counter-terrorism. The consultation sessions included various community groups, local community leaders, and political and civic leaders, as well as women and youth – two essential demographics that must not be marginalized.
Seventy-one sessions were held by local platforms with 623 Syrian leaders, 35% of whom were women. Consultations took place in Idlib, Hassakeh, Daraa, Homs countryside, Rural Damascus, Quneitra and Suweida as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey. Consultations with people from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa took place in Turkey. After the community consultations were completed, the local platforms revised their visions on the political file in accordance with the input provided.
Points of agreement between all platforms included the idea that a political solution for the Syria crisis must be based on the Geneva Communiqué and relevant international resolutions. In particular, Resolutions 2254, 2118, 2139 and 2165, as they provide a credible governing body that leads the political transition process in Syria; establish pluralistic democratic rule based on non-sectarian foundations; promote economic, educational and social life; and guarantee citizenship rights and non-discrimination on ethnic or sectarian grounds.
Points of disagreement included different views on the structure and authorities of a Transitional Governing Body, despite the agreement on the need for its existence. There were also some differences related to whether a Syrian entity or the United Nations should supervise the process of drafting the constitution. There was a similar disagreement about the management and supervision of the process of national dialogue, as well as the electoral process and the role of civil society in all these processes.
This Civil Society Vision makes clear that, despite the fact that a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian conflict faces steep challenges, diverse Syrian civilians and civil society groups on the ground believe that a political transition is necessary and feel that their participation in its creation is crucial. Given the intransigence of the current negotiating parties in the UN-led peace process, this demonstrates that the will to push forward does exist on the part of key actors on the ground – even when they have strong differences of opinion. The inclusion of these civil society actors in every stage and level of the political process, with an eye to women’s participation in particular, will enhance and strengthen the search for a comprehensive political solution.