Kurdistan Renewal Movement calls for guarantees of freedom for political parties

As Syria navigates its transitional phase, calls are growing for legal changes to guarantee freedom of political party activity and strengthen the participation of political forces in shaping the country’s future. The need to unify the political vision of Kurdish parties and guarantee the rights of the Kurdish people in a new Syria has also come into focus.

Mohammed Zido, a member of the General Council of the Kurdistan Renewal Movement, discussed the state of political parties in Syria in an interview with ANHA agency.

He said, “Under the Baath regime and the rule of the Assad family, throughout the decades they remained in power, political parties were not given the space to operate freely, particularly amid political and economic pressures and the constitutional and legal restrictions imposed on them. As a result, these parties were unable to fulfill their true role in society or serve its interests. This weakened their political and social influence, particularly under the dominance of the Baath Party and certain political parties affiliated with it, negatively affecting the effectiveness of political life in Syria.”

Zido added: “Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria entered a new phase that requires political parties to be given a genuine opportunity to fulfill their role in society and participate in political life. Unfortunately, no tangible change has taken place in this regard so far. The prevailing mindset within the current transitional government has not translated into legal changes that would allow parties to operate freely and effectively. Another problem lies in the prevailing mindset within Syrian society, which continues to struggle with accepting others, whether on national, religious, or political grounds. This poses an obstacle to building a political life based on pluralism and respect for differences, making it necessary to work toward changing this approach.”

Addressing the requirements for Syria’s development, he stressed that renewing political life and activating the role of political parties are essential to rebuilding the country and achieving progress in the political, economic, and educational fields.

He emphasized the importance of giving parties genuine space to operate within society and present programs and projects that meet citizens’ needs and serve their interests.

He further explained that political parties should not be limited to a merely formal presence. Instead, they must be able to present clear visions and practical plans to address the problems facing society, contribute to developing appropriate solutions, and work to improve the country’s various sectors in line with citizens’ aspirations.

He added that the absence of serious measures to activate political party activity, coupled with the continued marginalization and exclusion of parties from public life, could have negative consequences for the country’s future.

He warned that allowing this situation to persist could return Syria to political conditions resembling those of the previous era, with risks for the country’s political, social, and economic life.

Zido noted that political parties are among the key means through which people can express their will and convey their demands to the government. They also play a role in communicating citizens’ aspirations, defending their interests, and participating in decision-making.

He pointed out that Syria is currently going through a transitional phase that requires revitalizing political activity and restoring its role. This necessitates opening the door for political parties to operate, particularly through legal reforms and the adoption of clear legislation guaranteeing their right to work, organize, and participate in political life.

He added that laws should also be passed through the People’s Assembly and enshrined in the constitution to protect political party activity and secure parties’ political rights within a clear legal and constitutional framework.

Regarding Kurdish political parties, Zido said: “This issue is particularly important. Allowing Kurdish political parties to operate freely and providing them with a legal framework that takes into account the specific circumstances and national and political rights of the Kurdish people are essential to building a new Syria based on the recognition of pluralism and respect for the rights of all its components. To achieve this goal, meetings and dialogues between Kurdish parties must be organized, and their political vision must be unified in a way that serves the interests of the Kurdish people in Syria and enables them to express their demands through a unified political position.”

He continued: “The meeting held on April 26 was extremely important in unifying the Kurdish vision, marking a significant step toward greater rapprochement and coordination among Kurdish political forces. It is essential to continue organizing such meetings and conferences and to develop them in ways that contribute to establishing a Kurdish political body in Rojava and Syria capable of representing the aspirations of the Kurdish people and defending their rights and demands.”

A-H 

ANHA