Aleppo | Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation | April 17, 2025
On April 17, 2025, the Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation hosted a dialogue workshop in Aleppo titled “The Constitutional Declaration: Between Legal Necessity and the Challenges of the Current Political Reality.” Sixteen specialists participated, including lawyers, academics, media professionals, and civil society representatives.
The workshop spanned five hours and was moderated by lawyer and civil activist Aya Naoura, who provided participants with an in-depth explanation of the Constitutional Declaration, its legal background, and its transitional objectives. She highlighted the fundamental difference between a constitutional declaration and a permanent constitution.
Towards Constitutional Awareness in a Critical Transitional Phase
The session began with an introduction to Steps Syria’s activities and future plans before moving to the core themes. Participants discussed the foundations upon which the Syrian Constitutional Declaration was built and its importance in this transitional phase for organizing state affairs and rebuilding its institutions. The training focused on analyzing the chapters and principles contained within the Constitutional Declaration and sparked extensive discussions on some of its controversial articles, such as those related to achieving transitional justice and the absence of clear mechanisms for its implementation.
The discussion highlighted the legal vacuum left by the 2012 constitution, which necessitated an interim document to ensure the functioning of public institutions and the stability of the legal system in the absence of alternative legislation. A number of participants affirmed that the Constitutional Declaration constitutes a necessary step towards rebuilding the state, while others expressed reservations about some of its articles, acknowledging its importance as a temporary and indispensable solution in the current phase.
Diverse Opinions… Dialogue Bridges Views
The meeting was characterized by its vibrancy and diversity of perspectives. Attendees discussed the urgent need to form an interim parliament to fill the legislative vacuum and to expedite the adoption of a new law for political parties in preparation for a genuine democratic political life. An in-depth discussion also revolved around the need to remove the vestiges of sectarianism perpetuated by the former regime and to build a state based on the principle of citizenship and justice.
Outcomes and Recommendations
The session resulted in enhanced participant awareness of the Constitutional Declaration’s concept and its legal necessity. It also demonstrated the urgent need to repeat such community dialogues, which contribute to solidifying the principle of freedom of expression and bringing closer the visions among various components of Syrian society. Participants recommended organizing future seminars focusing on the anticipated permanent constitution and expanding the scope of public discussion on the future form of the Syrian state.
“Steps Syria” reaffirms its commitment to raising legal awareness and promoting citizen participation in shaping their country’s future, believing that the constitution is the cornerstone of a state of law.
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