Qamishlo meeting discusses transitional justice, peacebuilding

A dialogue meeting titled “Dealing with the Past: Towards a Syrian Mechanism for Peacebuilding” was held in Qamishlo today, bringing together media professionals, activists, civil society representatives and a delegation from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss support for transitional justice and strengthening civil society’s role in peacebuilding in Syria.

The meeting was organised in cooperation between the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Foundation (HDC) and the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aimed to discuss the situation during Syria’s transitional period and explore how the media, civil society and other stakeholders could help strengthen social cohesion and contribute to peacebuilding. This is within the framework of efforts aimed at promoting dialogue between local communities and national and international actors, address the legacy of the past, explore mechanisms for achieving transitional justice, and enhance dialogue and the participation of various parties in shaping Syria’s future.

The meeting highlighted the importance of conveying the voices of victims and local communities to the relevant authorities and strengthening their participation in transitional justice and peacebuilding. Discussions also addressed the role of the media and civil society in promoting community dialogue and laying the foundations for cohesion and stability among Syria’s diverse communities.

The participants stressed the need to convey the Syrian people’s voice to international bodies, calling on the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue supporting Syrian civil society and strengthen its role in shaping the country’s future. They also emphasized the need to review and amend laws governing the work of organizations, particularly outdated legislation dating back to the 1950s, to bring it into line with current needs and enable civil society to fulfil its role effectively.

Lack of strategy in Syria’s state-building process

Participants also pointed to a rise in hate speech and the exploitation of families of missing persons whose relatives have been detained by the transitional government and remain unreleased.

During the dialogue, the participants highlighted the lack of a clear strategy for rebuilding Syria, citing the return of displaced people who face violations by extremist groups operating outside state control. They also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the ongoing integration process in the country.

Swiss Foreign Ministry reaffirms support for civil society

Representatives of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed their continued support for Syrian civil society and its participation in peacebuilding efforts in Syria. They also stressed the importance of maintaining direct contact with local actors and monitoring their needs and aspirations on the ground to help them secure their fundamental rights.

The dialogue concluded with a set of recommendations emphasizing the rights of Syria’s diverse communities in the new Syria and ways to ensure these rights. The recommendations also highlighted the role of civil society organizations in developing a new strategy to help build civil society in the country. The key recommendations included:

- Convey the messages of victims and local communities to influential national and international stakeholders, drawing on previously developed evidence and knowledge products.

- Strengthen communication and coordination channels between regional bodies and national and international entities working in transitional justice and peacebuilding.

- Document the feedback, responses, opportunities and recommendations put forward by participating stakeholders in a “Commitments and Recommendations Paper,” and use them to inform the development of future messages and policies.

- Help amplify the voices of victims and local communities in discussions on the future of transitional justice and reconciliation in Syria, thereby strengthening local ownership and supporting sustainable peace based on recognition, justice and guarantees of non-recurrence.

ANHA