The political parties and movements working group in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) organized a consultative meeting on Wednesday. This meeting, attended by 25 representatives of Syrian political parties and movements that support the goals of the revolution and the aspirations of the Syrian people for justice, freedom, and democracy, aimed to consolidate and coordinate relationships with these groups. Participants included representatives from both inside and outside Syria.
The meeting began with a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives during the Syrian Revolution. SOC President Hadi Al-Bahra, alongside working group members Muhammad Ali Issa, Abdullah Kaddo, and Muhammad Farouk Tayfour, provided a briefing on the latest political developments.
The discussions addressed several key issues, including the current deadlock in the political process, the outcomes of the eighth Brussels donor conference, the situation of Syrian refugees worldwide (particularly in Lebanon), the implications of normalization with the Assad regime, the role of political parties in the political process, and ways to enhance their effectiveness. They also touched upon various issues related to the Syrian revolution at the local, regional, and international levels.
Al-Bahra provided a detailed account of his recent visits to New York and Brussels, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to find common ground and overcome differences, which have negatively impacted the Syrian crisis. He also discussed the current situation in Syria, highlighting superficial measures by the regime to create an illusion of separation between state institutions and the Baath Party, recent changes in intelligence and security services, and ongoing human rights violations and corruption.
The meeting also addressed the latest developments in northeastern Syria, particularly the PYD’s recent administrative and municipal re-divisions and its attempts to legitimize these changes through so-called elections, which have been widely rejected by the local population and political organizations. Participants stressed the importance of preserving the unity of Syrian territories and people, rejecting divisive projects, and ensuring that any social contract or constitution is created with broad participation from all Syrians, guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of all citizens without discrimination.
There was a discussion on international projects and plans for an early recovery fund, emphasizing the need for caution to prevent the Assad regime from using these funds to bypass sanctions. The participants highlighted the importance of equitable distribution of recovery projects across Syria, ensuring neutrality and transparency in fund management, and ensuring that these efforts support the political process in line with UN resolutions, particularly Resolutions 2254 and 2118.
At the local level, the briefing and discussions highlighted the importance of the peaceful anti-regime movement in Suwayda, which demands freedom, dignity, justice, democracy, and the implementation of UN Resolution 2254. The attendees expressed unanimous support for the people of Suwayda and acknowledged the significant role of Syrian women in these efforts.
Other topics discussed included the impact of the war in Gaza on Syria, the international and national human rights efforts to achieve justice, and recent French court rulings against key Assad regime figures.
Al-Bahra emphasized the need for teamwork at all levels to break the political deadlock and initiate a Syrian-led path for international and regional discussions aimed at implementing UN resolutions and finding sustainable solutions. He reviewed the humanitarian situation, noting the increasing needs amidst declining international aid due to global crises and inflation. He also highlighted the violations faced by Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the conditions of detainees in Roumieh prison, and the SOC’s efforts to protect refugees, prevent forced returns, and halt measures that would hand detainees over to the Assad regime.
Al-Bahra stressed the responsibility of the Lebanese government and the United Nations to protect refugees, stop discriminatory policies, and prevent the transfer of political detainees to the Assad regime. He also emphasized the importance of the positions taken by European countries, friendly nations, and the United States during the Brussels conference, which rejected normalization with the Assad regime, reconstruction, or lifting sanctions without tangible progress in the political process as per UN Resolution 2254.
Representatives from the parties shared their views on the agenda, expressing support for the SOC’s efforts to engage political forces and parties in decision-making. They emphasized the need for transparent governance in liberated areas, supporting the Syrian Interim Government with necessary resources and expertise, and strengthening the role of political parties and movements in building a robust Syrian national decision-making process. They also discussed the importance of rehabilitating civil institutions, building strong relationships with political and revolutionary organizations, gaining public trust, enhancing freedoms, and ensuring citizens’ rights.
The meeting concluded with organizational decisions for the working group, including plans to hold monthly joint workshops on important political issues, coordinate tasks, and develop joint plans and consultations. It was agreed that the political parties and movements working group would meet monthly, expanding the participant base to include more active political movements from inside and outside Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
