Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has hailed the start of a “new history” for his country after signing a constitutional declaration regulating its five-year transitional period. The document outlines rights for women and freedom of expression, but critics have warned that it does not represent the aspirations of Syria’s diverse population.
The declaration, which was signed three months after Islamist-led rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad’s repressive government, sets out a transitional period of five years during which a “transitional justice commission” will be formed to investigate and provide justice for victims of the former regime. The document also prohibits the glorification of the Assad regime and its symbols.
However, critics have expressed concerns that the declaration does not go far enough in establishing democratic principles and respects human rights. The Kurdish-led administration in north-eastern Syria has sharply criticized the document, saying it “contradicts the reality of Syria and its diversity”.
Despite these criticisms, al-Sharaa vowed to prosecute those responsible for recent mass killings, which targeted Alawite minorities and resulted in at least 1,476 civilian deaths. The authorities have announced several arrests, but human rights groups remain skeptical about the government’s commitment to accountability.
The declaration maintains some of the authoritarian features that critics have long criticized, including the requirement that the president be a Muslim and the restriction of executive power to the president alone. However, al-Sharaa has promised to issue the document as a “legal reference” during the transition period, which could potentially provide a framework for establishing democratic principles.
The United Nations has welcomed the declaration, saying it could be a solid legal framework for a genuinely credible and inclusive political transition. However, experts remain cautious about the government’s ability to implement the document effectively, given its track record of human rights abuses.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/13/syrias-leader-proclaims-new-history-after-signing-constitutional-declaration