SOC’s Committee of Political Parties and Blocs Holds Discussion on Prospects of Political Process

The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Committee of Political Parties and Blocs held a discussion session on the prospects of the political process and changes in the SOC. It brought together representatives of the Syrian national political parties and blocs.

Keynote speakers included SOC’s President Salem Al-Meslet, and the Vice-presidents Abdulahad Astepho and Abdulhakim Bashar.

Al-Meslet spoke of the latest developments in the political process and the eighth session of the Constitutional Committee, consultations to complete the expansion within the framework of the reform plan which was approved by the SOC’s General Authority. He also talked about the SOC’s activities, the participation of SOC’s delegations in international political forums, and its meetings with the Syrian communities in the diaspora.

Participants also discussed the Syrian Parties Law as they emphasized the importance of setting clear mechanisms and criteria for national political parties and forces, and procedures for joining the SOC.

They stressed the need to create a real democratic alternative in the country, respect pluralism and political freedoms, pay attention to raise political awareness, and establish a general consultative meeting for the parties.

Coordinator of the Committee of Political Parties and Blocs, Abdullah Kaddo, spoke about the importance of coordinating positions between the SOC and the rest of the political parties and blocs, especially in light of the difficult circumstances the Syrian revolution is going through.

“As political forces, we are required to discuss and meet constantly to achieve mobilization and advocacy, as well as to assume our responsibilities before the Syrian people,” Kaddo said.

He pointed out that despite the Assad regime’s obstruction of the political process, and the international community’s failure to assume its duties in Syria, there is a need to work to activate the political process by implementing UN resolutions and achieving political transition and meeting the demands of the Syrian people for freedom and democracy.

Kaddo also stressed that everyone agrees on overthrowing the Assad regime and bringing about a peaceful democratic change, preserving Syria’s independence and unity, taking into account the cultural, religious and national peculiarities, and achieving real national unity.

The political parties and blocs that participated in the discussion are:

1. The Democratic Left Party
2. Nahdat Syria Movement
3. The National Party for Justice and Constitution (Waad)
4. The Syrian Republican Party
5. The Syrian Liberal Party (Ahrar)
6. The Caucasian Circassian Council
7. The Syria Future Conglomerate
8. The Kurdish Democratic Party (Al-Barati)
9. The Liberation and Construction Movement.
10. The Kurdish National Council
11. The Muslim Brotherhood
12. The Assyrian Organization.
13. The National Future Movement
14. The Association of Independent Syrian Kurds

(Source: SOC’s Media Department)