Final communique
Syrian Opposition Coalition
General Assembly
July 21, 2024
The General Assembly of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held its 72nd meeting on July 20-21. The meeting began with a minute of silence for the fallen heroes of the Syrian revolution and Palestine. SOC President Hadi Al-Bahra gave a comprehensive political briefing, touching on international and regional circumstances and their impact on the Syrian crisis. The Assembly reviewed reports from the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-General, the Syrian Negotiations Commission, the Syrian Interim Government, the Assistance Coordination Unit, the Syria Recovery Trust Fund, and SOC’s committees.
The SOC reaffirms its commitment to the principles represented by the demands of the Syrian people for justice, freedom, and democracy, which motivated them to rise against the Assad regime. This commitment is in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 2118 (2013) and 2254 (2015).
The SOC emphasizes its continued collaboration with the Syrian Negotiations Commission and all international parties to find effective mechanisms for reaching a political solution. It highlights the necessity of collective efforts to overcome challenges and obstacles preventing the implementation of relevant UN resolutions.
The SOC underscores the importance of supporting the Syrian Interim Government in providing services and improving living conditions. It seeks solutions to the challenges faced by empowering and enhancing the government’s ability to carry out its work, aiming to develop the institutions of the revolution to improve the lives of Syrian citizens at all levels.
The SOC stresses the importance of the Trust Fund and the Assistance Coordination Unit in meeting the people’s needs by supporting food security projects and rehabilitating infrastructure. The SOC is committed to overcoming the difficulties facing these institutions to improve Syrians’ living conditions.
The SOC reaffirms its commitment to building bridges of cooperation with various countries worldwide, emphasizing that the Assad regime cannot offer anything to countries seeking to restore relations with it except for more refugees and cross-border crimes, especially drugs and terrorism. The SOC also emphasizes that achieving sustainable peace and security in Syria and neighboring countries is impossible without justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, releasing detainees, and knowing the fate of the forcibly disappeared. It stresses that any solutions that do not address the demands of the Syrian people and achieve their legitimate aspirations are partial and incomplete.
The SOC carefully monitors the situation of refugees in neighboring countries and works to combat inflammatory rhetoric against refugees and address their legal status by communicating with relevant authorities and representing the Syrian people to the fullest extent.
The SOC affirms that Syria is not safe for the voluntary and dignified return of refugees. Security concerns resulting from the regime’s practices remain the top reason for non-return, and a safe environment can only be achieved through a comprehensive political solution in accordance with UN resolutions.
The SOC upholds the right of the Syrian people to demonstrate peacefully and express their demands while ensuring full commitment to the safety of public and private property.
The Coalition warns the international community about the danger of the continuing decline in humanitarian response needed for Syrians, especially for residents of IDP camps. This is critical given that more than 90% of Syrians are below the poverty line and nearly 45% are below the hunger line.
The SOC salutes the peaceful demonstrations in Suwayda, stressing the need for them to continue with their demands, summarized in the implementation of UN Resolution 2254, despite the regime’s attempts to infiltrate the demonstrators’ ranks and use the same military repressive tactics that it employed when the revolution began more than 13 years ago.
The SOC addresses the Syrian people of all backgrounds with pride and honor, saluting their will for freedom and their commitment to the revolution’s goals until the aspirations of the Syrian people are achieved.
May mercy and honor be upon the fallen heroes.
May freedom come to the detainees and the forcibly disappeared.
May refugees and the displaced safely and voluntarily return.
May victory be with our resilient people.
