Final Communique
Syrian Opposition Coalition
General Assembly / 73rd Session
October 17-18, 2024
The General Assembly of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held its 73rd meeting in the town of Tal Abyad, Raqqa province on October 17-18, 2024, with the participation of many local dignitaries and community representatives. The meeting began with a moment of silence in honor of the fallen heroes of the Syrian Revolution. The President of the Coalition, Hadi al-Bahra, provided a comprehensive political briefing on regional and global developments and their impact on Syria. He outlined the Coalition’s plans to address emerging challenges and opportunities and summarized recent meetings with foreign officials, representatives, and envoys as well with the revolution entities in the liberated areas. The General Assembly reviewed reports from the Coalition’s leadership, the Syrian Negotiations Commission, the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), the Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU), and various working groups and committees.
During the opening session, several local residents contributed remarks, highlighting key issues facing their communities. The Coalition emphasized the need to collaborate directly with the Syrian Interim Government to address local challenges, particularly those affecting farmers, with the aim of improving living conditions in Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn. In this context, the SIG announced a 50% reduction in customs fees for cotton this season, along with a similar reduction in clearance fees.
The Coalition held three closed sessions over two days to deliberate on its agenda. On the first day, the Coalition engaged with the SIG Head and ministers to explore solutions to the concerns raised by residents of Tal Abyad, Ras al-Ayn, and other liberated areas.
The Coalition emphasized the importance of strengthening legislative authority within the General Assembly and improving existing laws and regulations in the liberated areas. It stressed the need for an independent, fair, and effective judiciary and for participatory decision-making processes to foster inclusivity and address current challenges. The Coalition underscored the importance of the rule of law and the separation of powers between legislative, executive, and judicial bodies to ensure justice, security, and stability for citizens. The Coalition initiated discussions to amend several laws and regulations and proposed new legislation, including taxation reform. The Coalition discussed the taxation system and the issue of multiple authorities imposing and collecting taxes and fees. It emphasized the need to prevent the imposition of any taxes or fees on citizens without a legal framework and to centralize tax collection under a specialized directorate affiliated with the Ministry of Finance in the Syrian Interim Government.
– Mandate the Ministry of Finance to present a draft tax law to the SOC’s Legal and Human Rights Working Group. A joint workshop will be held to finalize the draft within two months, after which it will be submitted for discussion in the next session of the General Assembly.
– Microfinance regulation: To address the need for organized microfinance operations:
– Mandate the Ministry of Finance to draft legislation regulating microfinance institutions and small-scale lending. A joint workshop will be held with the Legal and Human Rights Working Group to finalize the law within two months for submission to the General Assembly.
– Criminal law reform: The Coalition discussed legislative options for Article 263 of the Military Penal Code, aiming to serve justice and the public interest. The decision:
– Mandate the Ministry of Justice to review Article 263 and propose fair legal solutions within a month. These proposals will be submitted to the Legal and Human Rights Working Group to prepare draft legislation for the next General Assembly session.
On the second day, the Assembly discussed the activities of the Assistance Coordination Unit and reviewed both field and political reports. The military committee presented a detailed update on the field situation in the region, especially in Syria, analyzing possible developments and their implications. The Assembly also discussed the Coalition’s political strategy for the coming period in response to recent regional developments, which was approved by a public vote.
The session concluded with reports from working groups, committees, and the external relations department.
Based on the discussions and decisions made during this session, the Coalition declares the following:
– Condemnation of Russian and Iranian attacks: The Coalition strongly condemns the Russian airstrikes and the artillery and drone attacks carried out by the regime and Iranian militias targeting civilians in the liberated areas. It calls on the international community to protect civilians and to pursue accountability for war crimes through the International Criminal Court and national courts.
– Condemnation of incursions by the Israeli occupation: The Coalition denounces the Israeli occupation’s incursions into Syrian territory and the violation of the ceasefire line. It holds the Assad regime responsible for abandoning Syria’s sovereignty and turning the country into a proxy battleground to serve Iran’s regional ambitions.
– Call for unity among opposition forces: The Coalition urges groups of the Syrian National Army to resolve internal disputes through dialogue and under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, ensuring an organized, united defense of the nation and the people.
– Condemnation of discrimination against Syrian refugees in Lebanon: The Coalition condemns the unjust discriminatory policies targeting Syrian refugees in Lebanon, which have resulted in the forced, involuntary return of many Syrians to Syria. It calls on the UNHCR to urgently provide international protection to the remaining Syrian refugees in Lebanon, many of whom were compelled by war to flee to areas under the control of the Assad regime and its allies. The Coalition affirms that it is closely monitoring the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and remains in contact with relevant international bodies and organizations. It holds the Lebanese government responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Syrian refugees on its territory, especially those pursued by the Assad regime. Additionally, the Coalition holds the Lebanese authorities accountable for allowing Hezbollah militias to cross into Syria and commit war crimes against civilians, including forced displacement from their homes. It further condemns Hezbollah’s occupation of Syrian towns in collaboration with the Assad regime and demands that the Lebanese government issue orders for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from Syrian territory.
– Reaffirming the UN’s findings on human rights in Syria: The Coalition highlights the findings of UN Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/57/L.11, emphasizing the continuation of human rights violations in Syria. It asserts that Syria remains unsafe for refugee returns, warning against misleading claims by the Assad regime about security conditions.
– Commitment to the political process: The Coalition reaffirms its engagement with the Syrian Negotiations Commission to push for a political solution under UN auspices, stressing the need to resolve rather than manage the humanitarian crisis in Syria. It urges the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 2118 (2013) and 2254 (2015) to achieve justice, freedom, and democracy for the Syrian people.
– Support for the Syrian Interim Government: The Coalition emphasizes the significant responsibilities placed on the Syrian Interim Government to provide services and improve living conditions. It calls on the United Nations, its agencies, and friendly and sisterly countries to secure the necessary resources to enable the government to deliver services to displaced persons and residents in its areas, as these regions host the largest number of them. Additionally, this support will empower the government to receive refugees fleeing from Lebanon and those voluntarily returning from host countries.
– Unifying taxation systems: The Coalition emphasizes the importance of standardizing taxes and fees across liberated areas and advancing the necessary legislative framework.
– Support for Kurdish communities: The Coalition condemns the imposition of educational curricula on Kurdish communities and expresses solidarity with their peaceful civil movements in Manbij and northeastern Syria.
– Commitment to law enforcement and human rights: The Coalition stresses the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights. It emphasizes the need to continue developing civil and military police forces and providing them with the necessary resources to ensure security and enforce laws. This will enable the arrest of perpetrators of crimes and violations and their prosecution before a fair and independent judiciary, without any discrimination on any grounds.
– Opposition to violations against Syrian citizens: The Coalition reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights of all Syrians, emphasizing the need for unity to achieve justice and stability in a free and independent Syria.
– Reconstruction efforts: The Coalition highlights the importance of the Syria Recovery Trust Fund in stabilizing the country, promoting productivity, and supporting food security, healthcare, and infrastructure development. It calls on friendly and sisterly states to sustain and enhance their support.
– Support for the Assistance Coordination Unit: The Coalition highlights the importance of the services provided by the Assistance Coordination Unit in meeting the needs of citizens and offering data and statistical studies. It emphasizes the necessity of supplying the unit with the required resources to ensure the continuity of its work.
– Warning of a humanitarian disaster: The Coalition warns of an impending humanitarian catastrophe due to declining international aid, the influx of refugees from Lebanon, and internal displacement from regime-controlled areas, especially with winter approaching. It calls on the international community to urgently ensure that countries fulfill their commitments and step up support, given that poverty and hunger levels have reached record highs.
– Saluting peaceful protesters: The Coalition expresses pride in the Syrian people’s ongoing sacrifices for justice, freedom, and democracy. It honors the peaceful protesters in Sweida province for their continued demands for a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).
Glory to the fallen heroes of the Syrian revolution.
Freedom for the detainees and the forcibly disappeared.
Safe and voluntary return for refugees and displaced persons.
Long live a free and independent Syria.
Honor and dignity to its people.