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Statements | UNOG
Official Convening of the Syrian Constitutional Committee with United Nations Special Envoy for Syria
Channel 1 (or left) = audio floor
Channel 2 (or right) = audio Arabic simultaneous translation
Official convening of the Syrian Constitutional Committee
On Wednesday 30 October, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Geir O. Pedersen, together with the Syrian Constitutional Committee Co-Chairs, Mr. Ahmad Kuzbari from the Government, and Mr. Hadi Albahra from the opposition, will launch the start of the Committee’s work in an opening ceremony with the 150 members of the Constitutional Committee.
Council Chamber, with remarks by the Special Envoy and the two Co-Chairs.
Teleprompter
Again.
Dear members of the constitutional committee the Co chairs whose body Co chair albara it's really a pleasure to welcome you all to the United nations and to the Palais de nacion.
And welcome to the launch of this Syrian LED Syrian owned credible balanced and inclusive constitutional committee facilitated by the United nations here in Geneva it is my pleasure to send you the warm greetings of the secretary general of the United nations Antonio guterres.
He firmly believes that today's launch of the constitutional committee can and must be the first meaningful step along the political path out of Syria 's nearly 9 year long conflict towards a durable solution in line with United Nations Security council resolution 2254.
A solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians a solution based on the strong commitment to the country 's sovereignty independence unity and territorial integrity the Security Council itself has expressed the same message of support and positive expectations.
Many others have also done so in recent weeks distinguished members of the constitutional committee you are here today on the basis of an agreement between the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian negotiations Commission and that agreement will guide this committee 's work.
This is the first political agreement between the government and the opposition to begin to implement a key aspect of Security Council resolution 2254 which called for setting a schedule and a process for drafting a new constitution this is a historic moment.
Because for the first time 50 nominees of the government 50 nominees of the opposition are sitting face to face but also 2 Co shares side by side to work as committee members on the key project a new constitutional arrangement for Syria a chance for something new for Syria.
This is also a historic moment because space has been opened for a diverse and broad pool of 50 individuals of importance in Syrian society who are here in their own right and not as formal members of a party among these 50 are civil society activists and experts and other independents from inside.
And outside of Syria with a diverse range of religious and ethnic backgrounds from all regions of Syria and a wide spectrum of political leanings experiences and indeed expertise I am proud to see so many women among you around 30%.
As you know we have been steadfast to secure that minimum threshold of women 's representation in this process members of the committee I know that it is not easy for all of you to be here together in this room and I respect that I know that there are deep feelings among you reflecting the deep feelings among all Syrians.
Above the state of their beloved country after nearly 9 years of violent conflict but the fact that you are here today sitting together face to face ready to start a dialogue and negotiations is I believe a powerful sign of hope for Syrians everywhere both inside and outside the country.
I am therefore extremely grateful to all of you for having accepted the nomination and I am confident that each one of you with the great responsibility it entails will play your part in fulfilling the committee 's mandate in the service of the Syrian people I encourage you to be patient.
And also to be persistent to be ready to compromise and to engage constructively as you fulfil the important mandate entrusted to you it is my sincere hope that by signalling your good intentions to one another from the very beginning trust with steadily growth and a positive working environment can be created.
Members of the committee you are here based on key principles respect for the United nations charter Security Council resolutions serious sovereignty unity independence and territorial integrity and the Syrian LED and owned nature of the process.
You are here based on clear wider objectives UN supervised elections as envisaged in resolution 2254 based on the new constitution and the need for a broader political process to implement resolution 2254 and within the context of the UN facilitated Geneva process you are mandated and let me quote.
To prepare and draught for popular approval a constitutional reform as a contribution to the political settlement in Syria and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254.
The constitutional reform shall inter alia and body in the constitution and constitutional practises of Syria the lifter and spirit of the 12 living intra Syrian essential principles the constitutional committee may review the 2012 constitution including in the context of other Syrian constitutional experiences.
And amend the current constitution or draught a new constitution end of quote members of the committee the task you are to undertake is momentous to establish a foundational act a social contract for Syrians after nearly 9 years of violent conflict suffering divisions and mistrust.
Constitutional reform is a good entry point to heal those wounds because constitutions concerns fundamental rights political cultural social and economic rights the rule of law and good governance the people 's relation with the government how political representatives are elected and what their powers and responsibilities are.
History teaches us that the best constitution on earth cannot ensure the well-being of a nation but the bad constitution is enough to ensure its misfortune your future will be shaped not only by what is written in the constitution but also how it is written by a credible balanced inclusive.
And forward-looking drafting process fear and suspicions are always bad advisors constitutions can help heal the wounds of a devastating conflict and indeed establish the foundations for a new coexistence members of the committee today we gather in Geneva.
A city with a deep attachment to ideals of democracy human rights and the rule of law it's also the city of an eminent philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau the author of the social contract some 250 years ago Rousseau was asked to assist Poland in drafting its constitution he framed his role by saying and let me quote.
That good institutions for Poland can only be the work of poles a foreigner can hardly do more than offer some general observations for the Enlightenment but not for the guidance of the constitution makers I echo this sentiment today do not expect me or my team to tell you what to write in your constitution the future constitution belongs to Syrians.
To the Syrian people and them alone constitutions cannot be translated from elsewhere you Syrians the members of this committee will draught it and the Syrian people must then popularly approve it for this reason you are duty bound to strive to take on board the views of all your fellow citizens as you serve on this committee.
Let us remember that there are untold numbers of engaged Syrians who have worked throughout this conflict on ideas that could end the conflict and promote peace and a better future and there are millions of Syrians suffering today inside and outside the country all of them have the right to expect from you the highest standards of service.
And an openness to wider consultations and engagement and I'm sure they will not be disappointed the the United nations will be here to to help to facilitate the process with active good offices strong secretarial support regular reporting to the Security Council and the continued promotion of a wider political process among Syrians and the real dialogue internationally too.
All in accordance with my mandate a key part of my task is supporting the 2 equal cultures who are today with me on this podium Co chair gabasi nominated by the government and Co chair albara nominated by the opposition gentlemen you will need to work together.
To proceed in consensus in sharing the committee exerting the prerogatives necessary for ensuring the committee 's smooth functioning I have appreciated the discussions we have had to prepare today's events and I look forward to working with both of you and all members of the committee I know and I'm certain that you understand your responsibility as office holders to all members of the committee.
And to all who would participate in the drafting body too your duties of course are not only to your own side but to all members of the committee and that includes in particular the members of the middle 3rd who must be able to ensure their full role as equal members of this committee and you of course have a particular responsibility based on the mandate of the committee to ensure that the deliberations focuses.
On the substantive constitutional issues I stand ready to support you and to help to bridge differences when they arise by exercising my good offices I am at your disposal to facilitate the committee 's work in any other way deemed helpful.
I will always do so in a manner that ensures the committee 's continuing credibility balance and inclusivity and in accordance with my mandate and the agreement that brought us together here today I'm painfully aware of like you are of the suffering this conflict has caused every day we see the risks and danger of military escalation.
Of the terrorist ****** that continues to **** as the dark cloud over all Syrian communities of the struggles faced day in and day out by millions of Syrian citizens trying yet too often failing to make ends meet we also know that the tragedy of the 10s of thousands who are still detained abducted or missing as well as the millions more who remain displaced.
And that these chances has yet to be meaningfully addressed that is why I take a broadview on my mandate which is to facilitate not just this constitutional committee but the wider political process too for which resolution 2254 has the elements required I have repeatedly stated that I believe your work in this committee must be accompanied by audible steps.
To build trust and confidence among Syrians and between Syria and the international community I appeal to all stakeholders to work on such bold steps and I will not cease to work on the broader process throughout and beyond the constitution making process members of the committee the road ahead will not be easy.
Each of you will face challenges we will be here to support you but with willingness courage patience and resolve then future generations may look back on this day as the start of a new chapter for Syria thank you in that spirit let me then invite the Co chair this body.
To take the floor Co chair the floor is yours thank you.
I say it special envoy of the secretary ladies and gentlemen.
The government supported the constitution by saluting the great Syrian people back in our and resisted a vicious continues to register prominent victories against terrorism by all and divine laws.
We are gathered here today.
To solve the crisis that has ravaged our beloved home and the resilience and strength.
That the Syria sacrifices and to protect the state extraordinary patriotic moral and legitimate.
We will expectations drop of blood and sovereignty in our decisions.
Undoubtedly constitution on which states are built.
And determine duties in place for the in my homeland.
To the current constitution.
Our reality a positive reflected on the lives of our people sincerely the reality of our people at the same time.
In agreed upon government of the United nations and for which we have made great sacrifices.
Forefront of these principles it is territorial integrity of the determination not during one of the.
Or indirect internal interference in the internal of our homeland the Syrian people are the sole and inclusive of the right to decide the future of Syria and choose its social economic and political system in order for our dialogue today to succeed.
Simply intra Syrian interface ownership and leadership whatever these conditions may be.
And the lives of our children.
There must be owned by The Who alone.
Have the right?
To accept it and approve it.
The sacrifice the heroic deeds of our army we would not be here today therefore against terrorism an ongoing war we started before our meeting we continue this fight during our meeting and we will keep up the fight after our meeting until the liberation of the last inch of land of our precious homeland.
Ladies and gentlemen the success of any establishment organisational and procedural that regulate directed towards its objectives and enable it to reach its desired goals.
The need for all of the basic rules of procedure approved by the parties we hope commitment will be respected by our efforts and endeavours to be crowned with success.
Part of the political process presence of any sources on our territory of the resources of unilateral economic sanction and you had the political process as well.
And breaching the charter of the United nations in conclusion my thanks and gratitude to the Astana process the organisers of the social.
This part of the process would not have seen the like of the secretary general of the United nations Mister Peterson in order to ensure the success I would like to extend my Swiss authority.
In Geneva that our next can be held in our homeland continuously inhabited capital on the beloved land of Damascus thank you thank.
You thank you thank you so much and it is excuse me it's not my pressure to give the floor to.
The other call chair albara you have.
The floor thank you your Excellency special envoy for Syria dear Syrians.
In this building and in a room we started the first process of negotiations at the.
The beginning of 2014 the necessity of achieving a just political solution based on Security Council resolution 2118 of 2013 unfortunately these negotiations were not successful the Syrian people was disappointed in the possibility of.
The Syrian tragedy continues after 5 years here we are again meeting today hopeful to accomplish what we were unable to achieve in the past.
150 people meeting today.
Suffering in Syria we came here determined to look for similarities and not differences we are fully aware of the aspirations of the whole nation that can await salvation from unspeakable this new chapter of modern Syrian history.
This first social and political process by the United nations in 2015.
And to continue in the belief that.
By fortunately now displaced.
Feeling is our.
To the achievements of who contribute to developing human civilization and gave the world treasures that are still today a source of cultural intellectual scientific and social this is a common.
A future for all our objective.
We find Syria for all civil a nation that respects all that does not discriminate against and that is committed to respecting political social diversity and to this beautiful we represent and.
We must change situation we.
Go beyond our wounds pain and suffering we must start listening understanding our fears determining the commonalities to enhance them identify our differences in view.
What are you a crime what are you?
All that has led to more extremism to a circle of violence with ****** and destruction a vicious circle that must come to any of.
Infrastructure of Germany in the Second World War in Syria or.
Of all.
Needs over 20 before 2000 to this day before the file of this is an essential solving it as fast as possible this is the right it is the right.
The release.
The hands of all parties and to discover the faith of the missing and the forcibly displaced we must respect the right of families to know their loved ones it's time for us to believe that victory in Syria is achieving justice and peace.
Not winning the war such a victory achieved stability in my homeland that all Syrians can participate in.
Aware of the difficulty of the long path to recovery.
We must together on a comprehensive.
16 for peace as a strong institution condition for any successful and effective statement all citizens have opinion and voice and can be achieved I believe.
Who have suffered are convinced like most people around the world?
You.
I.
Establishes.
Governance and eligible to participate.
The memory of 1,000,000 victims.
Decisions we take collectively and have critical impact on the future of our children and grandchildren their future is in our hands and we will not deprive them of the process nature they deserve country that guarantees citizens and.
And collective freedom.
Camel.
That people should have all around the world in every continent in conclusion please join me in my prayers my prayers for achieving peace on the land of peace and the return of love and friendship amongst all Syrians thank you.
Thank you Co chair albara for your remarks members of the committee.
I want to thank you once more for coming here today and to be together with us for this formal launch of the constitutional committee as I said at the outset today could be come the beginning of something new something meaningful for Syria and for Syrians everywhere and this is will be led by you and you only as both Co chairs has emphasised.
Together we can make this come through tomorrow the hard works begins with that it is my honour to formally bring the inaugural session of the Syrian constitutional committee to a close and thank the Co chairs and thank all of you for being with me here today once more thank you thank.
You.