15 May 2024

The Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC), in collaboration with Local Administration Councils Unit (LACU) and the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), held a political meeting with a large number of political actors and workers in civil society organizations, media activists, representatives of syndicates and trade unions to discuss developments and prospects of political solution.
The SNC President and several SNC members took part in the meeting in which they had in-depth discussions of international development relevant to the Syrian issue, ways to reinvigorate the political solution, the importance of complementarity between the SNC and CSOs and its impact on the political process.

The SNC President discussed the difficulties which the SNC faces in its endeavors to push the Syrian issue to the forefront of international attention and overcome the international stalemate to end the Syrian crisis in line with international resolutions particularly Geneva Communique and UNSCRs 2118 and 2254 while maintaining Syria’s security, unity and territorial integrity, fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people, getting rid of terrorism and creating an environment conducive to dignified, safe and voluntary return of refugees.

He presented an overview of SNC’s efforts to convince the international community and the Security Council to consider practical mechanisms to compel all parties to engage in the political process without stalling as the regime has been doing for years.
He also pointed out the significance of SNC’s participation in ‘Brussels Conference for Supporting the Future of Syria’ and the intensified meetings which the SNC leadership held on the sidelines of the conference with international and Arab officials, diplomats and envoys highlighting the level of engagement with political and cultural actors which the SNC embarked upon before the conference.

Dr. Jamous pointed out the efforts of Syrian CSOs and Syrian diaspora communities around the world and the importance of these efforts and their partnerships with the SNC. He asserted that it was important to continue and further consolidate such collaboration because it serves the Syrian cause in effective and tangible ways.

He also discussed the issues of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, transitional justice and refoulement highlighting the SNC’s efforts along with its specialized committees to address these issues at all levels and its extensive cooperation with international organizations and institutions in this context. He stressed that these issues must be addressed as non-negotiable before a political solution. He also expressed rejection of any refoulement as Syria continues to be unsafe with the continuation of the regime’s violence and crackdown. He said the return of refugees can only be guaranteed through the implementation of a political solution in accordance with UNSCR 2254 so that the institutions of the transitional governing body create the safe environment necessary for their return.

Some candid and transparent discussions were held in which SNC members answered questions around all aspects of the political process, international resolutions, positions of Arab states and rejection of normalization with the Syrian regime. They also tackled SNC’s efforts and collaboration with CSOs and other relevant issues.