The Legal and Human Rights Working Group of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) conducted a workshop titled “Developing Legislation: A Social and Institutional Imperative for Justice and Rights” on Saturday at the SOC’s office in Azaz, Aleppo countryside. The event saw the participation of numerous researchers, legal experts, specialists, and a representative from the Syrian Interim Government.
The primary objective of the workshop was to facilitate discussions among participants regarding the current state of legislation in liberated areas and explore avenues for its enhancement. Abdulbasit Abdullatif, Coordinator of the Legal and Human Rights Working Group, emphasized the pivotal role of legislation in achieving justice. Additionally, guest speakers delved into the social dimensions of legislative development and its ramifications on local communities, the functions of legislative bodies and governmental institutions, strategies for refining existing legislation, and a review of the Syrian Revolution Charter for Human Rights and Public Freedoms.
Consensus was reached among attendees on the necessity of adapting legislation to address pressing issues in real-time. Consequently, several recommendations were proposed, including the establishment of an administrative judiciary to address claims of annulment and compensation, the formation of a higher judicial council and a general authority for the Court of Cassation to alleviate legislative gaps.
Furthermore, it was recommended that the SOC implement a legal mechanism comprising experts and specialists tasked with reviewing obsolete articles within the Syrian legal framework and proposing necessary legislation. Suggestions were also made to enact laws combating drug trafficking, regulate firearms possession, promote women’s participation in public life, integrate human rights education into school and university curricula, and establish capacity-building institutes in relevant domains.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
