Appeals to expand DAA model as democratic one for Syria

In light of the accelerating changes within Syria, demands are intensifying to broaden the scope of the Autonomous Administration project to cover the entire nation, positioning it as a democratic solution that safeguards the rights of all national, religious, and social groups. 

Kamel Al-Ward, the member of the Conservative Party in Raqqa, emphasized the critical importance of democratizing Syria during this pivotal moment, particularly in the context of profound political and social transformations.

 He stated: “The democratization of Syria is of utmost significance at this juncture, especially amidst these transformations. The Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) is steadily advancing toward consolidating democracy in the areas it governs by involving all societal components in decision-making processes. It is also working to conclude agreements with Damascus to secure the political and civil rights of all Syrians.” 

Al-Ward further noted that the issuance of the constitutional declaration in March, which annulled the 2012 constitution and dissolved the People’s Assembly, represents a significant step toward reshaping Syria’s political system during the transitional period. He added: “This step opens the door to extensive discussions regarding the structure of the forthcoming system.” 

He stressed the necessity of recognizing Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity to ensure the success of any democratic initiative, stating: “This requires acknowledging the rights of components such as Kurds, Assyrians, Alawites, and Druze, establishing a democratic system grounded in free elections and a representative parliament, forming a government accountable to that parliament, fostering strong political parties, ensuring judicial independence, and enshrining clear constitutional guarantees to protect human rights.” 

Women in Decision-Making

Amal Al-Jassem, the Co-Chair of the Women’s Authority in Raqqa, affirmed that women in NE Syria now enjoy genuine freedom and democratic participation, thanks to the Democratic Nation project. She remarked: “The women’s revolution, led by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), has fundamentally challenged the patriarchal mindset that dominated women’s lives for decades.” 

Al-Jassem highlighted the influential role of the ideas drawn from the writings of leader Abdullah Ocalan, one of the earliest advocates for women’s freedom, in driving this transformation. She added that the social contract adopted by the Autonomous Administration has strengthened women’s roles in decision-making through the co-presidency system, which ensures 50% female representation across all institutions. She continued: “We aspire to extend this model to include the Syrian parliament in the future, ensuring women have a greater role in national decision-making processes.” 

Education and National Dialogue

Mohammed Ali, the Co-Chair of the Education and Training Authority in Raqqa, emphasized that democratizing Syria necessitates a comprehensive national dialogue inclusive of all components without exclusion. He stated: “There must be full recognition of the political, cultural, and economic rights of all groups, alongside equitable wealth distribution and the empowerment of all to contribute to shaping Syria’s future in a manner that achieves justice and equality.”

a.k

ANHA