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The co-chair of the opposition Syrian Constitutional Committee, Hadi Al-Bahra, said that “the intentions of all parties” will be revealed during the discussion of the “basic principles” of the constitution at the fifth session of the committee on January 25.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Al-Bahra explained that “logistical arrangements are being made to hold the fifth session of the Constitutional Committee meetings in Geneva, as scheduled.” He said: “The agenda has been agreed in advance, which is to discuss the basic principles of the constitution.”
Among these principles, according to the opposition, are equal citizenship rights, the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary, as well as Syrian refugees and displaced persons.
Al-Bahra added that “what comes in the first chapter of the constitution are generally the basic principles that establish and base the formulations of the remaining chapters of the constitution.” He continued: “We hope to discuss these principles and finalize the drafting of proposals for their constitutional content.”
He stated that the opposition was preparing for the next round, as “specialized committees in the expanded constitutional committee held sessions to discuss the documents prepared on the basic principles in the constitution by the Syrian negotiating body and submitted supplementary documents and a series of proposals “.
He said that “most of the issues to be raised are the object of consensus with integrated documents on the matter,” and pointed out that “before the next session, a decision will be made on the methodology and mechanism for discussion within the small committee.”
Al-Bahra commented on the use by the UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen of the term “conciliatory justice”, which was rejected by the Syrian opposition, saying: “An audit was conducted referring to the audio and written records of the meetings, and the cause of the error was identified, which is simultaneous translation. ” He stressed that “the representatives of the Syrian negotiating committee, since its inception, have only used the term transitional justice, and this is what we demand to apply. There is no sustainable political solution without achieving transitional justice.”
In response to a question about the opposition’s preferences regarding discussions with the regime in the next session, Al-Bahra replied: “For our part, we affirm the compromise. As for the other party (the regime), we hope that complies with the rules, mandate and terms of reference of the committee and its statute, according to the agenda. ” “The fifth session will demonstrate to the international community the intentions of all parties regarding the work of the Constitutional Committee, the political process and the implementation of Resolution 2254, and the international community must assume its responsibilities towards the obstructing party,” he said.
He added: “We hope that the next US administration will become more involved in the political process and seek to reach international and regional understandings in support of the implementation of Security Council resolutions in ways that reduce time, avoid obstructions, stop the suffering of our people and achieve the aspirations for which it was raised. “
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