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National Dialogue in Syria: Navigating Past Challenges and Shaping Future Demands |
By: Jamil Diarbakerli
Executive Director of the
Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights
Syria is at a pivotal juncture, undergoing profound transformations that necessitate a robust national dialogue to forge a unified path forward. However, the outcomes of previous attempts compel us to question whether we are truly on the path to genuine dialogue or merely repeating past missteps.
A fundamental question remains: Who will participate in this crucial dialogue? Limiting participation to those with similar viewpoints would replicate the error of the former regime, which orchestrated fake "national dialogues" to enhance its global image rather than enact meaningful change.
Authentic dialogue must encompass all facets of Syrian society, transcending political, ethnic, and religious divides. Syrians must engage with those holding divergent perspectives, even if they are unsettling or painful.
In this endeavor, Syrians face two formidable challenges. First, a significant knowledge gap exists among various societal groups. A genuine Syrian-Syrian dialogue is imperative to foster understanding among Assyrians, Druze, Ismailis, Sunnis, Alawites, Kurds, Turkmen, Yazidis, Armenians, Arabs, and other communities. This dialogue should aim to dispel misconceptions and cultivate trust.
The second, more daunting challenge is engaging with former regime supporters. This does not imply condoning their actions but rather seeking to understand their motivations. However, participation must be contingent upon the absence of complicity in violence. Transitional justice, in this context, entails accountability and prosecution in accordance with legal and international norms, not retribution. It must be comprehensive, applying to all perpetrators of war crimes and human rights violations, irrespective of affiliation. Syrians must avoid double standards, ensuring either universal accountability or universal forgiveness.
Failure to address these challenges will result in a meaningless dialogue, where voices are raised but not heard, perpetuating polarization under a new guise.
The desired national dialogue must yield tangible outcomes, such as a clear action plan for Syria's future. Key elements include:
- A new constitution: Safeguarding the rights of all Syrians, establishing a democratic, pluralistic governance system, ensuring fundamental freedoms, equitable power distribution, and robust accountability mechanisms.
- A new government: Representing all societal segments, fostering national reconciliation, implementing reconstruction and development initiatives, and providing essential services.
- A transitional justice plan: Holding perpetrators accountable, compensating victims, uncovering the truth about past conflicts, and establishing mechanisms to prevent future violations.
- Implementation mechanisms: Creating independent national bodies to oversee the implementation of dialogue outcomes and provide progress reports.
South Africa's post-apartheid national dialogue offers an inspiring precedent. It resulted in a new constitution, a unity government, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, facilitating transitional justice and reconciliation.
Syrians must recognize that dialogue extends beyond formal settings. It is a
daily endeavor, occurring in workplaces, markets, universities, and hospitals,
wherever Syrians interact.
In conclusion, national dialogue is not
a luxury but a necessity for Syria's stable and prosperous future. It must be
inclusive, sincere, and encompass all societal segments. Syrians must be
courageous in listening to diverse viewpoints and willing to compromise for
the national good. The pivotal question remains: Are Syrians prepared to
embrace this challenge?
