The Syrian Women’s Movement called for a radical change in the structure of the authoritarian regime in Syria, a transition to a modern democratic, the establishment of a pluralistic state, and commitment to a peaceful and political solution in Syria.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of its founding conference in Paris on Wednesday, the Movement stressed that changing the structure of the Assad regime must be consistent with the provisions of the Geneva Communique of 2012 and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, most importantly UNSC resolutions 2118 (2013), 2254 (2015), and 1325 (2000).
The Movement underscored that accountability and transitional justice in Syria is an integral part of political transition to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace and to bring all those whose hands are stained with the blood of the Syrian people to trial.
The Movement said that humanitarian issues should be a top priority and not subject to negotiations, most notably the protection of civilians from all acts of violence, the release of detainees, and the revealing the fate of the disappeared.
The Movement called for lifting the siege on all besieged and hard-to-reach areas, unfettered humanitarian access, and ensuring a voluntary and dignified return of the displaced persons and refugees to their homes.
The Movement laid out 10 fundamental principles, most notably that a comprehensive solution in Syria cannot be reached as long as Bashar al-Assad and his clique cling to power.
Moreover, the Movement underscored that the transitional phase must be governed by constitutional principles reaffirming commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, the rule of law, the sharing of power, the separation of powers, human rights and equality.
The Syrian Women’s Movement is an independent, political opposition movement composed of female political activists who struggled against the tyrannical Assad regime. They Movement demands freedom, justice and dignity for all Syrian citizens as it defends the rights of women and their right to representation in all Syrian institutions.
The Movement said it seeks to build a democratic, pluralistic state on the basis of equal citizenship without discrimination among its citizens on the basis of gender, race, religion, sect, or region. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)