"constitution in which everyone participates is a fundamental step toward stability of Syria"

Syria has been witnessing for decades under exclusionary constitutions that marginalize Syrian components and do not recognize them or their rights, which has turned the country into an open arena for sectarian and nationalist strife, where promoters of such discord find an opportunity in the absence of a constitution that protects Syrian components and criminalizes their violation.

The human rights activist Ahmed al-Khadr from al-Tabqa canton explained that since the fall of the former regime, Syrians have been demanding the adoption of a new constitution that reflects the reality of Syrian diversity and guaranties each component its rights, principles, peculiarities, and holidays, in addition to ensuring all the rights they need.

Ahmed al-Khadr emphasized that the participation of all components in drafting this constitution is indispensable, coupled with enacting strict laws that criminalize sectarianism and prevent inciting divisions among the people.

Al-Khadr pointed out that Syria has known a series of constitutions throughout its history, starting with the Constitution of the Syrian Kingdom in 1920, passing thru the constitutions of 1928, 1930, and 1950, and reaching the 1973 Constitution, which entrenched the dominance of the Ba'ath Party over the state and society.

As for the 2012 constitution, it came with superficial amendments that preserved the essence of the previous regime, while the "constitutional declaration" of the transitional government was issued on March 12, 2025, without providing real guaranties for the rights of the components.

Al-Khadr appreciated the repeated calls from the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria to expedite the drafting of a comprehensive constitution, affirming that amending the constitutional declaration and involving all segments of the people in formulating a new constitution constitutes a fundamental step in protecting the principles and rights of each component.

Al-Khadr started from a firm conviction that the Syrians are one people with various factions, nationalities, and sects, and that the existence of a constitution that protects this diversity is a national necessity; because it stands against sectarian and ethnic discourses and criminalizes inciting them or infringing upon any group in different regions of the country.

Despite the multiple constitutions in Syria's history, Al-Khadr believes they all agreed on exclusion and marginalization. The 1973 constitution deprived a large segment of the Kurdish people of their most basic rights, considered them non-Syrians, and imposed a single national orientation on all components despite the diversity of nationalities and ethnicities.

Al-Khadr emphasized that the success of any inclusive constitution does not depend solely on its drafting, but rather on a strict governmental commitment to implementing its provisions and placing them above all without exception, along with holding accountable those who incite discord and criminalizing sectarian rhetoric, considering this a fundamental step toward stabilizing Syria.

Ahmed al-Khadr emphasized that the achievement of a constitution that guaranties the specificity of the components and protects their beliefs and cultures, coupled with actual implementation by the state, is the way to save Syria from strife and prevent it from sliding into a civil war that threatens its civil peace.

ANHA