Deir ez-Zor activists call for inclusive Syrian Constitution

 In interviews with ANHA Agency, several political and civil actors in Deir ez-Zor emphasized the necessity of a Syrian constitution that ensures comprehensive representation of all groups, contributing to the building of a free and democratic Syria—one that moves beyond the divisions and conflicts that have plagued the country for decades and fueled ongoing strife.

 Khalil Al-Saleh, the member of the Services Committee in the Executive Council of Eastern Deir ez-Zor, stated:

“It is essential that the constitution guarantees the meaningful participation of all societal components in decision-making processes, both locally and nationally. This must be coupled with the entrenchment of transparency and accountability, along with real mechanisms that empower women and youth to engage in political and societal life.”

 He stressed that, in light of the deepening crises Syria has endured for over a decade, there is an urgent need to draft a new constitution that genuinely reflects the aspirations of all Syrians. He described the current constitutional declaration, with its centralized and exclusionary framework, as unfit to serve as a foundation for a just and stable state. “It is impossible to build a cohesive national state without a constitution that acknowledges diversity and provides a legal framework that protects all citizens equally,” he said.

 Legal experts point out that the constitutional declaration issued by the Damascus authorities mirrors the 2012 constitution promulgated under the previous regime. Both grant extensive powers to the President, including his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and confer upon him legislative as well as executive authority.

 Additional criticisms of the declaration include its designation of Islamic jurisprudence as a primary source of legislation, the specification of Arabic as the official language, the requirement that the President be Muslim, and the retention of the state's name as the “Syrian Arab Republic.” These provisions are viewed as overtly exclusionary toward Syria’s other communities, political elites, and professional expertise, and as a blatant denial of the country's centuries-old ethnic and religious diversity.

 Siham Al-Ahmad, the Co-Chair of the Future Syria Party Office in Eastern Deir ez-Zor, affirmed that the inclusion of all Syrian components—without exception or marginalization—is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving lasting stability. She noted that historical experiences have shown that any political project built on unilateral or closed-door dialogues is doomed to fail.

 Al-Ahmad further emphasized that the upcoming phase must become a genuine space for national dialogue that includes all active political and social forces on the ground—women, youth, and representatives of various communities—to ensure that the new constitution reflects a collective will, rather than the agenda of a narrow group.

 She added that the new Syrian constitution must be founded on core principles that ensure the establishment of a democratic and just Syria, guaranteeing the protection of human rights and public freedoms without discrimination, and officially recognizing the country’s cultural, ethnic, and religious pluralism.

 Asaad Al-Dakheel, the Co-Chair of the Village Council of Al-Marashda, stated that in light of the serious challenges Syria has faced for over a decade, there is an urgent need to reconsider the legal foundations governing the country. He argued that drafting a new constitution that genuinely represents the aspirations of all Syrians and builds a solid relationship between the state and its citizens is essential to achieving political and social stability.

 He affirmed that it is unlikely Syria can attain such stability without a constitution that redefines the relationship between the state and its people on the basis of full citizenship and distributive justice. He also emphasized that the new constitution must explicitly reject all forms of discrimination or dominance and must adopt a decentralized system that enhances the powers of local regions in accordance with their unique cultural and social characteristics.

 a.k

ANHA