Transition process in Syria

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) calls on the Islamist leaders in Syria to ensure that all population groups and religious communities will be involved in the transition process. “When appointing the seven-member ‘Preparatory committee for Syria’s National Dialogue,’ Al-Sharaa did not include any members of minority groups. It only consists of people who represent Arab-nationalist or Sunni-Islamist ideologies,” criticized Dr. Kamal Sido, STP expert on ethnic and religious minorities. The committee, which came together on Wednesday, February 12, is supposed to pave the way for a constitution and for elections.

The preparatory committee is a token committee, aimed at appeasing Western states. The positive reaction of the foreign ministers of several European countries to the fact that two women were appointed clearly shows that this strategy is successful. Without an involvement of the SDF, the Kurdish people, the Druze, Alawites, Assyrian/Arameans, Armenians, Christians, and the Yazidis, we will not see a real democratic process – only the basis for a Sunni-Islamist regime in Syria,” the human rights expert stated.

“Germany, the EU, the United States, Russia, and other states must now prevent any attempt by the new transitional government in Syria to permanently install an Islamist regime. The governments of these states should make contact with the SDF, the Kurdish people, and other ethnic groups – emphasizing that they will only accept a new Syrian government that represents the interests of all people in Syria,” the human rights advocate demanded.

“There is much evidence to suggest that the members of the committee are completely under the control of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Emir of Qatar. This could be one reason why there are no representatives of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Druze, and other ethnic and religious groups in the commission,” Sido added.

At the universities and schools in Damascus and Aleppo, we are now seeing a large-scale process of Islamization of Syrian society. There are mass prayers in public places, such as in front of lecture halls or on schoolyards, and Koran books and Sunni Islamist literature are distributed.”

“Moreover, we see ongoing incitement against Kurdish people and other population groups who demand a democratic, secular, and federal system. Kurdish and Druze politicians and dignitaries are denounced as ‘Jewish or Israeli agents’ – and Turkish media that are close to Erdoğan as well as the Sunni-Islamist TV station Al Jazeera are involved in the agitation,” the human rights activist emphasized.