SNC Meets CSOs in Brussels
Dr. Jamous: Our priority is to deepen our engagement with Syrians
April 29, 2024
On Sunday, the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) held a consultative meeting in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on the sidelines of the Brussels VIII Conference to Support the Future of Syria, with a number of representatives of Syrian civil society organizations and institutions concerned with Syrian affairs. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the SNC and community-based Syrian organizations and institutions.
SNC President, Dr. Bader Jamous, as well as SNC members Tarek al-Kurdi and Alise Mofrej took part in this meeting.
The SNC President made a brief presentation on the SNC’s work, the commitments and principles its work is based, its regional and international relations as well as its relations with structures of the Syrian revolution, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, unions and other Syrian strata. He further explained the challenges it has been facing in the recent years of its work.
He discussed the local, regional and international political situation, the reality of the Syrian issue at present, and the SNC’s commitment to international resolutions, especially the Geneva Communiqué and UNSCR 2254. He explained SNC’s endeavors to communicate with international parties, particularly European countries and members of the Security Council, in order to find ideas and mechanisms to activate the political process and compel the Syrian regime and its allies to stop stalling the political process, and moving forward towards the strict and full implementation of international resolutions.
He clarified the SNC’s position on the negotiation process, the pressure and leverage the SNC is trying to exert on UN and international bodies in order to implement international resolutions. He said the SNC strongly demand the United Nations and the Security Council to bear their responsibility explaining that it is seeking to hold an international conference to resolve the Syrian issue if the UN Security Council is unable to move the political solution forward. He also overviewed the visits the SNC plans to carry out to coordinate efforts with international bodies and countries that support the legitimate rights of the Syrian people.
Jamous emphasized during the meeting the importance of deepening the partnership between the SNC and Syrian civil society organizations, research centers, and Syrian institutions engaged in Syrian affairs. He pointed out that complementarity is crucial at this stage, as the political power the SNC stems from the grassroots in Syria. He pointed out that the SNC strives to convey their voices and plans to the international community and benefit from experience exchange of all parties.
Detainees Dossier
In his presentation, he also touched on the issue of detainees and the SNC’s diligent work to ensure the implementation of international resolutions related to them before proceeding with the political solution. He also discussed transitional justice and its importance for Syrians and their future, the importance of international aid to areas outside the regime’s control, especially the camps that suffer from tragic living conditions, and the importance of the Brussels Conference to provide the humanitarian, social, educational and infrastructure support that Syrians need, away from any interference or control of the regime.
On her part, Alise Mofrej, Head of the SNC’s Detainees Committee, discussed the SNC’s efforts to keep the detainees’ issue on the table of international organizations and the United Nations, noting the necessity of concerted Syrian efforts by all human rights organizations to prioritize this issue in all international meetings and forums.
She added that the SNC continues to work hard to mobilize all efforts for the issue of detainees highlighting the absence of international will which puts the responsibility on the shoulders of Syrian individuals and organizations to coordinate joint action in order to stand up for our detainees in regime prisons.
SNC member, lawyer Tarek al-Kurdi, discussed the importance of standing up for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, particularly in Lebanon. He tackled the SNC’s efforts to communicate with Arab and foreign states to demand coordination with countries hosting Syrian refugees to ensure the protection of their rights against any injustice or infringement.
Deliberations with the Syrian Community
During the meeting, some lengthy, in-depth and constructive discussions around the Syrian issue were held with leaders and representatives of Syrian civil society organizations. The participants inquired about some of the SNC’s activities at the political level as well as at the level of transitional justice and detainees and humanitarian assistance. They pointed out that some issue needed to be prioritized in their view and also cited some papers and studies which their centers have carried out in line
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