Under the Auspices of the Syrian Negotiation Commission
“Accountability” and Forced Refugee Return Take Center Stage at Berlin Seminar

October 6, 2024
The dialogue seminar organized by the Syrian Negotiation Commission in Berlin, which took place over two days with the participation of Syrian civil society, has successfully concluded. The seminar was attended by Dr. Badr Jamous, the president of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, along with commission members Jamal Suleiman, Alice Mufrej, and Ibrahim Al-Jabawi. A series of recommendations and outcomes were produced, aimed at strengthening the collaborative relationship between the Syrian Negotiation Commission and Syrian civil society to address the pressing issues facing Syrians.
At the conclusion of the seminar, which engaged large groups from the Syrian community and civil society, three working groups were convened to discuss critical topics: “Litigation and Accountability,” “Normalization and Early Recovery,” and “Forced Return of Refugees.” The discussions included the results of five extended sessions held during the seminar, with the goal of establishing a framework for cooperation between the commission and Syrian civil society in Germany, leading to several key recommendations.
Regarding the topic of “Forced Return of Refugees,” multiple recommendations were formulated concerning Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, outlining strategies and mechanisms that the Syrian Negotiation Commission and civil society organizations can collaboratively implement to improve their conditions, ensure their protection, and prevent any forced returns.
In the area of “Litigation and Accountability,” foundational principles were established for cooperation between the commission and civil society, aimed at fostering mutual trust and systematically addressing accountability issues within the context of international human rights law. The discussions emphasized the need for a joint strategy to implement accountability and transitional justice, ensuring that transitional justice remains integral to the entire negotiation process within the political framework.
On the subject of “Normalization and Early Recovery,” recommendations were developed to effectively manage early recovery initiatives that donor countries may offer, highlighting the necessity of distinguishing these efforts from reconstruction activities. The aim is to ensure that early recovery does not inadvertently lead to reconstruction at any level, alongside additional recommendations for collaborative action between the commission and Syrian civil society through effective institutional partnerships.
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