November 17, 2024

The Syrian Negotiating Commission held its periodic meeting today, Sunday, in Geneva, with the attendance of all its components, and discussed the latest developments related to the Syrian issue and the political process, and the positions of countries in light of the developments and clashes witnessed by the Middle East in particular, and the changes at the international level in general.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of the Commission, Dr. Badr Jamous, presented a comprehensive briefing in which he reviewed the latest developments and updates related to the political process, the political and diplomatic efforts made by the Syrian Negotiating Commission during the past period, and the results of the intensive meetings of the leadership of the SNC with diplomats, politicians and representatives of countries in the United Nations in Geneva, in addition to representatives of European countries and diplomats in Brussels, and some meetings with representatives of Arab countries, in addition to the meetings held by the leadership of the Commission in New York with the member states of the UN Security Council, which strengthened the presence of the SNC in international fora.

Dr. Jamous shed light on the challenges and difficulties that the Syrian issue is currently going through with the escalation of the conflict in the region, the effects of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, and its extension to Syria in the recent period, the steadfastness of the SNC’s position on the political solution in accordance with international resolutions, the necessity of implementing Resolution 2254 in full and strict, and the SNC’s refusal to give up the Geneva track and international resolutions related to the Syrian issue, including Security Council Resolutions 2118 and 2254, and its adherence to the political solution that leads to comprehensive political change in Syria commensurate with the extent of the sacrifices of the Syrians during the past fourteen years. He referred to the intensive meetings of the Commission with Syrian civil society groups around the world, which were organized by the Commission and its partners in Berlin, Istanbul, Erbil, Geneva, Brussels and other capitals, pointing to the importance of interaction and partnership with everyone from professional unions, federations, civil society organizations, popular activities, revolutionary forces, youth and women, and the Commission’s keenness to develop this partnership and benefit from all the experiences of these parties, and its welcome of all proposals and ideas that can serve the Syrian political process.

The members discussed extensively the international and regional challenges and opportunities, and presented analyses of the challenges and opportunities available at the regional and international levels, and opportunities for cooperation between the various parties, whether at the international level or at the local level, civil society, political parties and forces, and unions.

The members also reviewed the work of the legal office of the Commission, and the efforts it is making in the field of establishing the importance of justice and accountability, and moving trial cases at the European level against those who committed violations against the Syrian people, and supporting refugees whether in Lebanon or those fleeing from it, or Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, and communicating with the concerned parties to improve their conditions, and ensuring appropriate humanitarian assistance for them that guarantees them a decent life, and they discussed the work of the Detainees Committee and its efforts in the field of releasing them, and revealing the fate of the forcibly disappeared, and the level of cooperation between it and the international organizations concerned in this field.

This periodic meeting of the Negotiating Commission coincides with a meeting held by the Commission with representatives of Syrian civil society in Geneva, which discusses many topics related to the Syrian issue, most notably refugee files, a safe and neutral environment, education, drugs, accountability, sanctions, US elections, and early recovery.