As the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) celebrates, alongside all Syrians, the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, we honor the sacrifices made, remember the many victims of mass atrocities, and acknowledge the hardships endured by all Syrian women and men in their pursuit of freedom and rights. Together we stand at a pivotal moment in Syria’s history as we work to build a better present and future.
The fall of the regime brought to an end nearly six decades of authoritarian rule under Hafez and Bashar Assad (father and son)—an era marked by bloodshed, repression, and destruction that affected every community in Syria. Now, CCSD recognizes both the development opportunities and the profound challenges this time entails.
Today, CCSD renews its call for the establishment of a democratic, pluralistic, and inclusive decentralized system of governance that is based on the rule of law, full equality between women and men, the separation of religion and the state, the separation and balance of powers, and an independent judiciary. This requires a nationally representative transitional leadership that includes qualified individuals from across all sectors of society and ensures at least 30 percent representation of women, intending to achieve full parity. CCSD also acknowledges the vital role and contributions that Syrian NGOs and civil society play in shaping and strengthening Syria, and the importance of preserving civic space. We further underscore the importance of transparency, the creation of strong institutions, and a governmental approach that respects and ensures human rights and promotes active, broad-based community participation, and that guarantees oversight and accountability across all areas of governance. This will pave the way for a genuine national dialogue and comprehensive institutional and legal reforms. These actions will result in the drafting of a constitution by qualified legal experts, and the holding of free and fair elections under international supervision and with oversight by civil society.
CCSD reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the transitional phase in Syria and urges its allies to prioritize the following during this phase, based on international resolutions:
As Syrians continue their journey toward freedom, justice, and democracy, CCSD stands firmly alongside all communities in the pursuit of a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Syria. We are committed to supporting this transition every step of the way and we call the international community to do the same.
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