Despite the overthrow of the government of former President Bashar al-Assad, Syria continues to suffer from deep divisions between the various parties locally, regionally and internationally, which highlights the need to design an integrated plan for an inclusive political transition that includes all Syrians of all ethnic, religious and ethnic affiliations, and ensures sustainable justice, reconciliation and peace among Syrians and with neighboring countries. We, the Syrian organizations that signed this letter, strongly appreciate the EU’s continued support and commitment to Syria Since 2011, and believing that the political transition will not succeed without the real support and commitment of the international community that guarantees the unity and sovereignty of the country, we hope to support and adopt the following recommendations:
First: Ceasefire and the start of a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue: We urge you to press for an immediate and lasting ceasefire throughout Syria, under UN supervision and international monitoring, as a first step towards ending this conflict. In parallel, we call for the start of a comprehensive and serious political dialogue between all Syrian parties from the political, civilian, social and military forces, and that this dialogue be under the supervision of the United Nations and without excluding any party.
Second: Democratic Reforms and Political Transition: The success of any transitional phase in Syria requires real, immediate and deep reforms that ensure the participation of all Syrians (inside and outside Syria) in the process of designing the transitional phase, and in the transitional governing body, followed by the process of drafting an inclusive constitution, and holding transparent and fair elections under UN supervision, in accordance with Resolution 2254, in a way that guarantees the right of all Syrians to participate actively in the political process without any marginalization or exclusion. The transition must focus on building a system A pluralistic democracy that respects the rights of all racial, ethnic, and religious communities and components in the country, recognizes Syria’s diversity, and works to break with the policies of repression and marginalization that led to the conflict in the first place.
Third: Transitional Justice: We call for pressure to adopt a genuine transitional justice process, which includes the full range of processes and mechanisms related to the attempts made by Syrian society to deal with the widespread excesses of the past in order to ensure accountability, justice and reconciliation in order to enhance trust between individuals in one society and individuals’ confidence in state institutions.
Pressure must be made for an accountable, transparent, non-selective and non-vindictive approach, emphasizing the importance of documenting all crimes and violations by all parties to ensure justice. We also call for strengthening efforts for the release of all detainees and the disclosure of the fate of the missing and kidnapped throughout the Syrian geography.
Fourth: Ensure the preservation of state institutions and adopt a comprehensive approach to institutional reform : Immediate pressure must be made to protect state institutions, documents and archives related to rights and public policies from destruction or manipulation, to ensure effective institutional functioning and accountability in the future, to strengthen individual confidence in the institutions of the new Syrian state, to support respect for human rights and to strengthen the rule of law, as a step towards reconciliation and institutional reform and to prevent any new violations.
We, in the Syrian organizations that signed this letter, believe that Syrians deserve a better future, under a pluralistic democratic system that recognizes the rights of all its citizens and respects Syria’s unique diversity. We stress the need to support the European Union and the international community in providing concrete support for this inclusive transition process to ensure peace and stability in Syria and its neighbouring countries, and justice for all citizens.
Signatory organizations in alphabetical order:
1. ACCESS ORGANIZATION
2. Sphere Development
3. Lights for development and construction
4. Skyline
5. Badir Community Development
6. Pel – Civil Waves
7. Top
8. Rojavai Kurdistan Association for Kurdish Literature and Culture
9. YEKPAR Association for Culture and Art
10. Aras Association
11. Kurdish Cultural Association in Geneva
12. Khabur Association
13. Association for the Defense of Threatened Peoples – Germany
14. Ambassadors Association for Persons with Disabilities
15. Jasmine Association
16. Step Association
17. Shaukka Women’s Association
18. Lilon Association for Victims
19. Mary Association for Culture, Arts and Environment
20. Mouj Association for Development
21. Nujeen Association for Community Development
22. Warshin Environmental Protection Association
23. Synergy Association for Victims
24. Links of Hope for Development
25. Rey For Rehabilitation & Development
26. Syrian Entrepreneur
27. Homing
28. Syrians for Truth and Justice
29. Aso News Network
30. Women Peace Leaders Network
31. Justice for life
32. Crutch
33. Future Makers Team
34. Small Dreams Group to Support and Empower Women
35. Aso Center For Consulting & Strategic Studies
36. Ashti Peacebuilding Center
37. Research and Protection of Women’s Rights Center
38. Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue
39. Center for Equal Citizenship
40. Seed Development Center
41. Stabilization Support Center
42. Mitan Center for the Revival of Civil Society
43. Civil Society Platform
44. Platform of Civil Society Organizations in North and East Syria
45. ADAD Organization
46. Land of Peace
47. ARIJ Organization for Social Development
48. Ashna Development Organization
49. Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Organization
50. Syriac Cross Organization for Relief and Development
51. Euphrates Organization
52. Ella Organization For Development & Peacebuilding
53. Bokra Ahla Organization for Relief and Development
54. Baladna Organization for Development and Development
55. Taa Marbota Organization
56. Tara Development Organization
57. Tadmarto Organization for Development and Community Cohesion
58. Dijlah Organization for Development and Environment
59. Dijlah Organization for Development and Environment
60. Accountability Advocates Organization
61. Douz Organization
62. RINK Development Organization
63. Roger Car Relief and Development Organization
64. Rose Organization for Support and Empowerment
65. Zameen Organization for Development and Peacebuilding.
66. Sahem Organization for Cooperation and Development
67. Sanabel Euphrates Organization
68. Kobani Relief and Development Organization
69. Organization for their sake humanity
70. Nextstep Organization
71. Nodem Organization
72. Hori Organization for Human Rights
73. White Humanitarian Organization
74. White Hope Organization
75. Ashvan Organization
76. Hayat Foundation
77. Hayat Foundation
78. Nawa
79. Nodem
80.White Hop
81.We Care