On March 22, DeFacto Platform for Dialogue held a closed discussion session in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, to address pressing issues related to Syria’s transitional phase and the agreement signed between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Commander in Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi.
The session featured diverse perspectives, criticisms, and community concerns, resulting in key recommendations for civil society organizations, political entities, and governing authorities, including:
- The new government’s failure to uphold international commitments on rights and freedoms will limit its role to power consolidation rather than fostering genuine institutional development and progress.
- Transitional justice must alleviate public pressure and accumulated grievances at the grassroots level.
- Strengthening civil society, ensuring political party freedoms, and fostering open dialogue are essential, particularly given the positive reception of the al-Sharaa-Abdi agreement, despite it only outlining transitional principles.
- The new political climate should be leveraged to promote civic, political, and societal engagement, fostering new agreements that recognize pluralism and inclusivity.
- Mechanisms for transitional justice must be activated, prioritizing a comprehensive ceasefire, halting human rights violations along the coast, ensuring the safe return of displaced individuals, and holding perpetrators of crimes accountable.
- The success of agreements depends on limiting Turkish and Israeli influence or involving other nations with a constructive role.
- Ethnic and religious communities must be adequately represented in both the government and parliament to facilitate a genuine political transition.
- Economic and living conditions must be addressed as fundamental pillars for the success of any inclusive political process.
- Transparency and clear public positions will reflect the actual challenges and pressures at hand, providing an alternative to divisive rhetoric and baseless accusations.
- Internal governance in northern and eastern Syria—specifically in Hasakah, Raqqa, Kobani, Tabqa, and Deir ez-Zor—requires institutional strengthening and service improvements.
- The anticipated intra-Kurdish dialogue must remain free from external interference and personal or factional interests.
- If the situation deteriorates and viable options diminish, activists must mobilize new waves of civil protest.
- The provisions on ceasefire, institutional integration, and refugee return offer a crucial opportunity for civil society participation, allowing the government to enhance collaborative governance in the crucial early months of transition.
