SNC held its regular meeting on the 3rd and 4th of June 2023 in Geneva. SNC members discussed the latest developments in Syria, the continuing suffering of the Syrian people in Syria and in the region especially after the devastating earthquake, the challenges they are facing to get their rights to a safe, free, and dignified life. SNC members also discussed the regional and international developments affecting the Syrian crisis, the positions of SNC towards these developments, and possible ways of dealing with them in a manner that goes in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people.

SNC has always looked forward for a leading and effective role by Arab countries in Syria. During the sessions, SNC members studied Amman Statement issued by a number of Arab foreign ministers on May 1, 2023, which clarified the Arab initiative on Syria according to the principle of step by step, as well as the Jeddah Statement issued by the Arab leaders on May 19, 2023, which, unfortunately, was devoid of any reference to UNSCR 2254 (2015).  SNC members also studied the tripartite and quadruple meetings in Moscow and the statements issued by them. In this context, SNC emphasises:

1- The full implementation of UNSCR 2254 (2015), which leads to a real political transition, is the guarantor of eliminating terrorism, achieving civil peace, ensuring the withdrawal of militias and foreign forces from Syria, preserving its unity and territorial integrity, and ensuring Syria’s commitment to maintaining the regional and international security.

2- SNC expresses its appreciation for every effort that seeks to achieve a sustainable political solution based on UNSCR 2254 (2015), and paving the path for a democratic Syria in which power is transferred peacefully, freedom of expression is respected, and the rights of all Syrians are guaranteed.

3- Giving the regime the approval in returning to the Arab League before fulfilling its commitment towards UNSCRs carries with it the danger that the regime will use the benefits of normalization, and refuse to proceed with the political solution or provide any valuable step towards stability or alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people, or preserving Arab national security.

4- Concerted all national and international efforts for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the refugees to their homeland and places of residence from which they were displaced, and to stop the waves of asylum; while SNC highly appreciates the countries that hosted the Syrian refugees and understands the challenges they face, SNC hopes that the suffering of refugees will not continue, and strongly condemns any racist practices or violations against Syrian people. Affirm that ensuring the security and safety of refugees is their right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the conventions related to the refugees. SNC also recall that the prohibition of refoulement is part of customary international law, which obliges all states to respect the principle of non-refoulement.

5- SNC requests to brotherly and friendly countries to support the efforts of the UN to take all necessary resolutions to fulfil a comprehensive political solution in line with UNSCR 2254 (2015). As the international, regional and Syrian conditions provide an appropriate circumstance for the resumption of direct negotiations according to UNSCR 2254, under a specific agenda and timetable, and not being limited to only resuming the work of the Constitutional Committee.

SNC meetings discussed also the file of the detainees and the forcibly disappeared, which is the most important issue for the Syrian people in general and the families of the detainees and the victims in particular, and in which there has been no significant development towards achieving justice, their release, and knowing the fate of the forcibly disappeared among them. In this context, SNC confirms that this issue is the basis of any humanitarian actions to build confidence towards the implementation of UNSCR 2254 (2015). It is the basis of building the trust between Syrians, and it must be kept away from any politicization or exploitation of any kind.

SNC also affirms that there is no sustainable peace without justice, and that the perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity must be held accountable. The time has come for the relevant international organizations, led by the UN, to take legal and organizational actions to achieve justice.

Humanitarian needs are increasing as the regime continues with its economic and security policies which the Syrian people revolted against, and as corruption is deeply rooted inside the regime in light of the continued migration of national financial, and human resources outside the country. This increase in needs has been accompanied by the collapse of the purchasing power and the low percentage of countries fulfilling their pledges to offer aid, the failure to distribute aid in a fair manner among all Syrians, and the subordination of UN organizations to the dictates and blackmail of the regime, which led corruption in the system and mechanisms of aid distribution, and made it lose much of its effectiveness.

Imminent dangers, natural disasters, and tragic suffering require all of us to rise to the level of challenges, starting with reconsidering our political practices, commitment to transparency, refraining from self-destructive practices, and drawing lessons from our mistakes to reform our political house, by working to unify capabilities by building broader alliances, extending bridges, and focusing on our shared values. This is not the time for division, and with that comes the formulation of a healthy relationship between political society and civil society.  The SNC affirms its support for any move by civil society that would enhance the independence of civil society and increase its effectiveness to serve Syrian people, SNC welcomes all steps to support Civil Societies forces and develop their capabilities and performance.