The Syrian opposition’s High Negotiation Committee (HNC) on Wednesday unveiled a plan comprised of three “phases” to complete a political transition in Syria based on the Geneva 2012 Communiqué.
The plan, dubbed “Executive Framework for a Political Solution”, was announced during a meeting of foreign ministers of Friends of Syria Group in London where President of the Syrian Coalition, Anas Alabdah, is also taking part.
HNC’s General Coordinator Riad Hijab described the opposition’s vision for political solution in Syria as “dynamic” and one that aims to build “a political system that protects freedoms, safeguards individual rights, and that is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, citizenship, and justice.” Hijab pointed out that that the opposition’s plan will require a serious will by the international community to force the Assad regime and its allies to respect international resolutions.
The Executive Framework for a Political Solution is composed of three phases that are set to last for two years during which Syria is to be transitioned to a new system of rule in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 2118 and 2254.
As part of the first phase, the sides to the conflict are given six months to negotiate a peace deal, during which the Assad regime and the opposition forces have to commit to a temporary truce. The phase also requires the immediate, unconditioned implementation of paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of UNSC Resolution 2254 of 2015 which demand an end to war crimes and crimes against humanity; ceasing all combat operation, including aerial attacks; lifting the siege on all towns and areas; allowing humanitarian access; releasing detainees; and disclosing the fate of all forcibly disappeared persons in prisons.
The first phase also requires “developing enforcement mechanisms in case of procrastination by the regime; and providing the international community with the necessary guarantees for the success of the negotiation process.”
According to the HNC’s Executive Framework for a Political Solution, the second phase, which is set to last for one and a half years, would come into force immediately after the sides agreed on the general terms of the transitional process. This stage requires the establishment of the Transitional Governing Body (TGB), which in its turn requires “the departure Bashar Assad and his clique who committed heinous crimes against the Syrian people.”
A new constitution is to be drafted during the second phase, with the TGB assuming full executive powers that include issuing a provisional constitutional declaration that shall be followed throughout the transitional period and establishing a caretaker government, a joint military council, a high constitutional court, a reconstruction commission and a national reconciliation commission. The TGB powers should also include holding an inclusive national dialogue; restructuring the security apparatus; supervising the management of internal affairs and a local administration system based on the principle of administrative decentralization; ensuring the continuity and functioning of ministries, institutions, and public service bodies; combating terrorism; and working to get all foreign troops out of Syria.
“During this period, a new political system shall be established based on a number of basic principles, including: the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria; a multi-party state based on freedom, democratic practice, inclusiveness, representation, and citizenship; the rule of law, human rights, and accountability, with effective mechanisms to ensure respect of human rights and dignity for all Syrians, and ensuring Syrians’ right to full participation in the political process. The Kurdish cause shall be considered a national Syrian cause and action shall be taken to ensure their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural rights in the constitution. There shall be an inclusive national dialogue launch with no exceptions or exclusions,” the framework says.
The third phase would represent “a final transition through the implementation of the outcomes of the national dialogue and the constitutional revision.” According to the HNC, during this phase, local, legislative, and presidential elections would be held in Syria under the supervision and with the technical support of the United Nations. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
