In Damascus and Sweida, Syria, hundreds of Syrians are set to participate in a one-day national dialogue conference on Tuesday. This event, hailed by the country’s Islamist rulers as a significant step towards a new political system post decades of Assad rule, has raised concerns among critics regarding its rushed organization, lack of minority representation, and its impact on the ongoing political process led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist armed group now in power in Syria.
According to the organizers, the conference aims to discuss recommendations that will influence a constitutional declaration outlining the fundamental principles for Syria’s new government, as well as address transitional justice, economic restructuring, institutional reform, and other crucial matters. The proposals from this conference will be considered by a new transitional government slated to assume power on March 1 in Syria.
This summit is expected to attract attention from Arab and Western nations, with the possibility of forging full diplomatic relations with Syria’s new leadership, including the potential lifting of sanctions, contingent on the inclusivity of the political process towards Syria’s diverse populace, as per three diplomats.
The preparatory committee, consisting of seven members, held listening sessions across Syria’s provinces, accommodating feedback from 4,000 invitees. However, concerns have been raised about the committee’s composition, with five members affiliated with or close to HTS and the absence of representation from key minority groups like the Druze and Alawites.
While proponents view this as a positive shift towards democratic involvement, skeptics fear the conference may merely serve as a formality reinforcing HTS’s dominance in Syrian politics since the fall of Assad. The appointment of HTS leader Ahmed Sharaa as Syria’s interim president has further solidified his role as the country’s de facto leader.
Criticism has also been directed at the short notice given for the conference, preventing some longtime Syrian opposition figures abroad from attending. Despite these challenges, the event is seen as a crucial opportunity for Syrians to engage in shaping the future political landscape of their country.
In northeast Syria, as per officials from both the Syrian Democratic Forces and the U.S.-backed forces, invitations were extended for participation in a summit. A total of 24 invitations were sent to individuals in the southern region of Suwayda, which is home to a significant Druze community. However, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, expressed his discontent. In an interview with Reuters, he stated, “Until now, we respect all opinions, but we haven’t seen the ability to lead the country or shape a state in the correct way.” He further added, “We’re going along with it, hoping that things will become organized or that something new will happen by the end of the transitional period.”
Hajri and others emphasized the importance of international involvement to ensure the establishment of a civilian state with a clear separation of powers and adherence to the rule of law. Despite offers from the United Nations to assist with the summit, they were not taken up by HTS, as reported by two Western diplomats and two U.N. officials. Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International, a think tank focusing on the Middle East, commented, “To me, this looks like a box-ticking exercise.” He pointed out the need for HTS to demonstrate a solid foundation for the transition process, raising concerns about how diverse opinions would be considered.
Lund highlighted the dilemma faced by Washington and Europe regarding their stance on the process – accepting it could potentially empower HTS further, while rejecting it and disengaging with Damascus might lead to further chaos in Syria. Despite criticisms and uncertainties, the opportunity for an open discussion, a rare occurrence in Syria for decades, brought joy to many participating Syrians.
Catherine Altalli, a Syrian human rights lawyer who was briefly detained during the anti-government protests in 2011, shared her experience attending a session for rural Damascus. She expressed her happiness despite concerns regarding how a new constitution would safeguard the rights of her Christian sect. “This is the beginning of democratic life… where opinions are expressed freely, and that is something special,” she remarked.
(Reporting by Timour Azhari in Damascus; Maya Gebeily and Yamaam Shaar in Sweida; Additional reporting by Firas Makdesi and Kinda Makieh; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
