Vice-president of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Ruba Habboush, stressed the importance of engaging the youth of the Syrian revolution in drafting a new constitution for the country as a gateway to a solution in Syria.
Commenting on the launch of a new round of talks by the Constitutional Committee in Geneva on Monday, Habboush said that the Assad regime, despite its complete control over the state institutions, is seeking to introduce minor amendments to the constitution in order to legitimize its seizure of power as the constitution is the main pillar of a state.
Habboush cited the Assad regime’s so-called People’s Assembly’s amendment of the constitution in few minutes to pave the way for Bashar al-Assad to inherit the throne.
Habboush pointed out that a state is not only a constitution, which nonetheless remains a gateway to a modern state and the basis of a social contract that defines the relationship between social components on the one hand, and between the state and society on the other.
Habboush stressed the importance of the constitution for the Syrian people and the need to involve the youth of the revolution in drafting it. She said that the constitution is one of important steps in the path of political transition in accordance with UN resolution, most importantly UN resolution 2254.
Moreover, she pointed to the need to extend bridges of communication with young people; listen to their views; take them into consideration, and involve them in drafting a new constitution for Syria that expresses their aspirations and encourage them to utilize the expertise they gained in the host countries in the rebuilding process.
She went on to say that the Assad regime has always sought to tear the Syrian social fabric, adding that this fabric will only be healed by a new social contract in accordance with a modern constitution that meets the aspirations of this people and restores its unity in accordance with the standards of democracy, freedom, and human rights.
“As a young woman who was able to assume a political position in the institutions of the revolution, I seek to be a voice for the revolutionary youth and involve them in the efforts to lay out a modern constitution for the desired democratic country.” (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
