North and East Syria — Following the announcement of Syria’s National Dialogue Preparatory Committee, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) issued a statement expressing deep concern over the decision. The council criticized the committee’s formation, arguing that it is composed of a single political faction, thereby failing to uphold the principles of fair and inclusive representation.
According to the statement, the current composition excludes significant political, social, and ethnic groups that play a crucial role in Syria’s diverse society. This exclusion, the council asserted, constitutes a serious violation of the principle of national partnership and weakens the legitimacy of the dialogue process.
Exclusion of opposition voices
The statement highlighted what it described as a deliberate neglect and exclusion of political forces that have opposed the Assad regime for years, many of whom have suffered persecution, imprisonment, and exile. Such an approach, the council warned, suggests an intention to maintain old patterns of marginalization rather than fostering genuine democratic change.
The SDC further criticized the remarks made by the committee’s spokesperson during a recent press conference, arguing that they indicated an attempt to predetermine the direction and outcome of the dialogue. The council stressed that dialogue cannot succeed without respect for differing viewpoints, and any effort to silence or discredit opposing voices contradicts the very essence of an open and inclusive process.
A call for genuine national partnership
Reaffirming its commitment to Syria’s future, the SDC emphasized its role, alongside other political and social forces, as an essential partner in shaping the country’s transition. The council underscored the need for broad and meaningful participation in every stage of the political process to ensure a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens.
The council called for a reconsideration of the committee’s composition to better reflect Syria’s diverse society and to meet the demands of the transitional phase. It urged the adoption of a truly inclusive framework that lays the groundwork for a national dialogue capable of fostering a democratic future for the country.