The first phase of the UN-brokered face-to-face talks between the Syrian Government and opposition began at the UN Office in Geneva on 30 October, with the UN’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, urging both sides, along with a third delegation representing Syrian civil society, to seize the historic opportunity of working together, for the sake of the Syrian people.
The Syrian people is still divided with fears of prolonging the timeframe especially since many of the international resolutions are stalled and regional and international division continues.
The mini-committee approved procedure that allow its work to proceed smoothly and not be disturbed by the extended altercations, with a code of conduct that significantly reduces the rhetoric of disruption, a message that “the resolutions are going to be signed, not obstructed,” citing earlier statements from Russian and Iranian sides and an international guarantee represented by the UN.
“Everyone should know that we will not amending a constitution, but formulating a new one that conforms to the aspirations of the Syrian people,” said Ibrahim al-Jabawi, a member of the Constitutional Committee. “The next five days will be pivotal, as the constitution is its backbone, we have patience and hands outstretched in peace to save Syria and our people."
The so-called “First Working Session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee Large Body”, aiming to draft a new constitution for the country, was the first in nearly nine years of fighting, and was described as being led in a “dignified and forward-looking manner”.
Pedersen praised the ceremony, calling it “a sign of hope for all Syrians”, and emphasized that the process is led and owned by the Syrians.
He also announced that a smaller group had been agreed upon, made up of 45 members of the Committee, which will begin its first working sessions on 4 November in Geneva.
Sources told Zaman al-Wasl that the two heads of Syrian delegations agreed that the agenda of the first talks round is to set a framework by benefiting from discussing the ideas and proposals presented in the interventions.
Representatives of the opposition’s Negotiation Commission called for a work mechanism to reach consensus among the delegates.
There are still unresolved discrepancies regarding the meeting hours, and according to leaks, the regime delegation proposed four-hour meetings, while the opposition proposed eight hours with small workshops meeting at the end of its scheduled day. The UN facilitator is likely to exclude the regime’s proposal of the system.
Sources saw that it could be hoped that the regime's delegation would adhere to the 2012 Constitution and its 157 articles. Some of the general paragraphs are agreed upon, pointing out that the most prominent issues will be in the articles of the presidency and its powers and role, which is unnerve the delegation as they considered “sacred”.
Member of the Constitutional Committee and spokesman for the negotiating body, Dr. Yahya Aridhi considered that it is a difficult task as it represents a comprehensive change.
He said that, "The open time may be one of the drawbacks to the committee as it took a long time to form. However, good will and the Syrians’ awareness of the bitterness of nine years and its consequences will allow for unbiased and open ideas for the future of 23 million Syrians.”
Sources in the regime's delegation had referred to a prepared constitution by the opposition team. However, the opposition delegation confirmed that they only prepared readings and discussions of Syrian constitutions with observations that ensure the speedy completion of a constitution befitting Syria and similar to other democratic countries. The regime's delegation did not prepare anything simply adhering to the 2012 constitution, which gives the presidency the powers that led to the division, displacement, destruction, and arrests in Syria.
Hadi al-Bahra, head of the opposition delegation, had previously confirmed that, “The Commission will study all the Syrian constitutions, and will examine all the constitutional contexts in order to draft a modern constitution that fulfills the Syrians’ aspiration to a free and independent homeland that guarantees their liberties and achieves citizenship for all.”
Al-Bahra stressed that the Syrian constitution will be written by Syrians and not by foreigners. There is no ready-made formula, but several projects have been drafted by the Syrians for different regimes that will be discussed to achieve a consensus.
Eight years of war in Syria have killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighbouring countries. Agencies
Zaman Al Wasl, EP
Zaman Al Wasl
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