The Syrian feminist lobby is deeply concerned about the potential return of the Syrian regime to the Arab League, as well as the accelerating efforts to normalize relations with Bashar al-Assad’s regime. There is a great deal of ambiguity surrounding the form of political settlements that Arab foreign ministers have been announcing, with little information available about their content. Moreover, there is a worrying lack of clarity regarding the “step by step” initiative and the specific steps it has taken thus far. It appears as though the regime is pursuing a political solution in exchange for normalization, without any regard for the legitimate self-determination of the Syrian people. While the Syrian feminist lobby recognizes the importance of a political solution for achieving sustainable peace and prosperity for Syrians, it is crucial that any such solution that upholds the rights of the Syrian people must be one that:
- includes all Syrians and involves all parties, including the real Syrian opposition and civil society. It must not undermine the legitimate demands of the Syrian people for a democratic state, nor confiscate their right to self-determination.
- be achieved through a political transition towards a democratic and inclusive state where sustainable peace is achieved, not fragile settlements.
- be implemented under the umbrella of the United Nations and in accordance with UN Resolution 2254, which includes the formation of a transitional governing body. The UN must monitor and intervene in the process of returning refugees and displaced persons to their original places of residence, with guarantees that difficulties of any kind will be overcome, and that it is is done voluntarly and with dignity. The refugees must not be used as a political pressure card.
- must provide guarantees and clear action plans regarding the individual and collective fate of Syrians. It must oblige the Syrian regime to resolve the cases of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons through transparent mechanisms that reveal their fate. The regime must release all prisoners of conscience in Syria and cease security prosecutions against opponents, who represent the Syrian people both inside and outside Syria, and not just a minority.
- must adopt a political transitional phase must be adopted, and support the paths of justice and accountability for war criminals of all parties. All forms of tyranny must be eliminated for the solution to be radical and sustainable.
- Must respect the dream and struggle of the Syrian people, and not to assume that the peaceful Syrian movement against the regime was a battle between two parties that ended in favor of the regime, rather fundamental essential demands that have nothing to do with the armed conflict, and the Syrian people have not and will not show any compromise on them
