**This declaration marks a significant step towards rebuilding Syria's governance following years of conflict.**
**Syria's Interim President Initiates Five-Year Transitional Constitution**
**Syria's Interim President Initiates Five-Year Transitional Constitution**
**Ahmed al-Sharaa's move aims to foster justice and inclusivity in post-Assad Syria**
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has officially signed a constitutional declaration intended for a transitional phase of five years. This development comes three months after a military offensive by Sharaa's Islamist group that successfully toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa expressed hope that this initiative heralds "a new history for Syria," prioritizing justice over oppression.
The new constitution maintains that Islam remains the religion of the president while establishing Islamic jurisprudence as the principal source of legislation—a notable shift from the previous document. Additionally, it incorporates measures for separation of powers, judicial independence, and guarantees for women’s rights, freedom of expression, and media freedom.
UN special envoy Geir Pedersen has endorsed these advancements as positive steps toward restoring the rule of law, advising that this could fill a considerable legal void. However, the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria has criticized the constitutional declaration, claiming it fails to reflect the country's diversity.
In January, military leaders in the rebel faction appointed Sharaa as president for the transitional phase, discarding the Assad-era constitution. He swiftly abolishes the former regime's parliament, army, and security institutions. Just days prior to the declaration, Sharaa formed a committee to draft the constitutional framework, aiming to balance civil rights with security needs while ensuring complete separation of powers.
According to Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a member of the drafting committee, the president will exercise executive authority during this transition but will possess limited emergency powers. Legislative authority is granted to a new People’s Assembly, assembled with two-thirds of its members appointed by a presidentially-selected committee and one-third directly chosen by the president.
While Sharaa has committed to establishing an inclusive government until a new constitution is enacted and elections held, he faces substantial hurdles from the civil unrest stemming from Assad’s brutal crackdown on protests 14 years prior. Recent incidents of violence, retaliatory killings linked to Sharaa’s government, have raised concerns among Alawites and other minority groups about his intentions and integrity.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the need for accountability following civilian deaths, cautioning that Syria's promising future is precariously balanced amid ongoing violence. He urged the transitional authorities to take decisive action to create a legitimate and inclusive governance structure for all Syrians.
The new constitution maintains that Islam remains the religion of the president while establishing Islamic jurisprudence as the principal source of legislation—a notable shift from the previous document. Additionally, it incorporates measures for separation of powers, judicial independence, and guarantees for women’s rights, freedom of expression, and media freedom.
UN special envoy Geir Pedersen has endorsed these advancements as positive steps toward restoring the rule of law, advising that this could fill a considerable legal void. However, the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria has criticized the constitutional declaration, claiming it fails to reflect the country's diversity.
In January, military leaders in the rebel faction appointed Sharaa as president for the transitional phase, discarding the Assad-era constitution. He swiftly abolishes the former regime's parliament, army, and security institutions. Just days prior to the declaration, Sharaa formed a committee to draft the constitutional framework, aiming to balance civil rights with security needs while ensuring complete separation of powers.
According to Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a member of the drafting committee, the president will exercise executive authority during this transition but will possess limited emergency powers. Legislative authority is granted to a new People’s Assembly, assembled with two-thirds of its members appointed by a presidentially-selected committee and one-third directly chosen by the president.
While Sharaa has committed to establishing an inclusive government until a new constitution is enacted and elections held, he faces substantial hurdles from the civil unrest stemming from Assad’s brutal crackdown on protests 14 years prior. Recent incidents of violence, retaliatory killings linked to Sharaa’s government, have raised concerns among Alawites and other minority groups about his intentions and integrity.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the need for accountability following civilian deaths, cautioning that Syria's promising future is precariously balanced amid ongoing violence. He urged the transitional authorities to take decisive action to create a legitimate and inclusive governance structure for all Syrians.
