Calls for a Rewrite of Syria’s Constitutional Declaration

BETH ZALIN (QAMISHLI), North & East Syria — Criticism continues to mount against the Constitutional Declaration signed by Syria’s transitional leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa. The Assyrian Democratic Organization has voiced strong objections, arguing that the document, in its current form, fails to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people for a democratic and inclusive state. In a statement, the organization emphasized that the Declaration perpetuates exclusion and marginalization of Syria’s ethnic and religious communities while reinforcing systemic inequality among citizens. 

Key demands for reform 

Citing fundamental flaws in the document, the Assyrian Democratic Organization has urged the Syrian Transitional Government and Al-Sharaa to implement sweeping revisions. These include: 

Eliminating Discriminatory Texts: ADO insists on removing clauses that differentiate between citizens. 

Ensuring State Neutrality: It calls for the abolition of any official state religion and the removal of Islamic jurisprudence as a primary source of legislation. 

Recognizing Non-Arab Communities: The organization demands constitutional recognition of non-Arab ethnic groups, particularly the Syriac-Assyrian people, along with guarantees for their cultural and political rights. 

Establishing a Fair Transition Process: ADO calls for a well-defined transitional period and a restructured constitutional committee that includes representatives from all Syrian communities, ensuring a declaration that reflects the nation’s diversity. 

Broader opposition and political reactions 

The opposition to the Declaration is not limited to the Assyrian Democratic Organization. The General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) also issued a statement condemning the approach taken by the transitional leadership in Damascus. 

The PYD argued that the current process merely deepens Syria’s crisis, prolongs instability, and leads the country further into chaos. The Council asserted that the Constitutional Declaration and its provisions fail to represent the will of the Syrian people, disregarding historical, cultural, and social realities. Consequently, it declared that the document is neither acceptable nor binding. 

As calls for reform grow louder, the future of Syria’s transitional political framework remains uncertain. The debate over the Constitutional Declaration underscores the deep divisions that persist in shaping the country’s post-war governance.