MSDNowadays, Syria is facing escalating and successive dangers and crises as a result of the destructive policies pursued by the authoritarian regime and its security foundations, which have brought the country to a disturbing situation that threatens its future and the fragmentation of its unity, both its territories and people.
The immense destruction, the absence of state institutions, the economic collapse, the indications of weakness of the national fabric, the loss of essential elements of life, and all of these bad conditions and the deterioration require the mobilization of all the energies of the Syrian nation and its people in a mission of change and salvation, transitioning from the state of authoritarian rule to a state of democratic national rule. This would enable Syria to enhance its independence and unity and empower its people to address own affairs and manage them freely. We sense that the current moment imposes a patriotic and responsible stance to lift the country out of the catastrophic situation it is experiencing and spare it existential risks. So, Syria urgently needs the concerted efforts of all its people to confront the challenges of war and peace.
Therefore, representatives of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change and the Syrian Democratic Council have come together and held several meetings to discuss ways to resolve the crisis existing within the regime’s structure and to overcome the national crisis resulting from authoritarianism and its security and military choices. The regime refuses to recognize the reality, nature, and dangers of this crisis, and it rejects all internal and external calls for a political resolution.
The following principles have been agreed upon:
1- Establishing a broad Syrian democratic national front for the powers of the revolution and the Syrian opposition in which they adopt the project of a democratic national change and the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. Nowadays, this represents an urgent necessity to rescue Syria from the catastrophe it is going through.
2- Both parties believe that the success of the national political resolution for the Syrian crisis can be achieved by the participation of democratic national political powers in the political process, without an exclusion, in accordance with Resolution 2254 of 2015 and all relevant international resolutions. This should guarantee the realization of the political transition, transitional justice, the end of the authoritarian regime and its outcomes, the eradication of terrorism in all its forms, and the contribution to achieving a democratic national change and building a democratic state that is politically pluralistic and decentralized, as it is agreed upon by Syrians on the constitution of the future and in all Syrian territories. This state will be based on the principles of a modern democratic state; a state of law, elected institutions, separation of powers, peaceful transfer of power, the neutrality towards religions, sects, components, and all social categories, ensuring equal citizenship rights and duties for all individuals and components of the Syrian people, without discrimination or exclusion based on nationality, religion, sect, class, gender, or a political orientation. This state, which is sovereign and where power is vested in the people. This state will be capable of facing all challenges, reclaiming its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and securing the requirements of a dignified and free life for Syrians in accordance with a new national constitution.
3- The National Coordination Body and the Syrian Democratic Council adopt the democratic national project that ensures the preservation of the political unity of Syria and its territories. This project rejects all divisional and separatist plans that threaten the unity of Syria, both its territories and people. They also work towards the withdrawal of all non-Syrian armed factions and militias, as well as foreign forces present on Syrian territories, emphasizing the non-reliance on any external party.
4- The national political resolution for the Syrian crisis is the only resolution that safeguards our country from risks, and fulfills the aspirations of our people as the safe path to preserving the unity and sovereignty of the nation. In line with this position, it is necessary to halt the war and end violence in all its forms, including military operations on Syrian territory, foremost among them the security and military resolution led by the Syrian regime against the Syrian people. This measure should be accompanied by the release of all prisoners of conscience who are in the Syrian regime’s prisons and other prisons throughout Syrian territory, the cessation of all forms of persecution against politicians inside and outside Syria, the determination of the fate of those who have been tortured, disappeared, and forcibly detained in detention centers and prisons, and the rejection of all forms of demographic change. Additionally, steps should be taken to ensure the safe and voluntary return of all internally displaced persons and forcibly displaced individuals outside Syria to their original areas of residence.
5- Combating corruption in all its forms, emphasizing the promotion of the national economy, and considering national resources as the property of the Syrian people, all for the sake of a better life for citizens. Efforts should be made for justice to be prevailed, and the independence of the judiciary should be upheld in order to safeguard the rights and dignity of individuals. Women should be empowered to play their roles in the state and society, and support should be provided to the youth to do their leadership roles in the present and future.
On June 24th, 2023
The Syrian Democratic Council and The National Coordination Body for Democratic Change Powers
