Al-Qabas Publishes the Project that Khaddam Will Present to the Opposition: Transition in Syria from a One-Man System and Formation of a Transitional Government / Abolishing the State of Emergency and All Exceptional Laws, and Releasing Political Prisoners / No Interference in the Internal Affairs of Any Arab Country
Abolishing the State of Emergency and All Exceptional Laws, and Releasing Political Prisoners
No Interference in the Internal Affairs of Any Arab Country
Former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam traveled to the Belgian capital yesterday, where he began meeting with various members of the Syrian opposition to crystallize a project for consensus. Al-Qabas has obtained the project prepared by Khaddam, which will be presented to opposition members who have gathered in Brussels.
Khaddam declined to disclose the identities of the individuals he will meet but told Al-Qabas that the entire Syrian people are in opposition, and there are no specific opposition figures. Below is the text of the national project that Khaddam will present to opposition members.
The National Project
Syria’s need to rid itself of an ignorant, corrupt, and oppressive regime has become part of the effort to protect it from two dangers:
- Internal Danger: Manifested by the consequences of the current regime, most notably the weakening of the country, its backwardness, and its inability to defend itself.
- External Danger: Represented by the consequences of dangerous decisions and policies that have placed the country in the heart of the danger zone.
Syria’s escape from this danger zone, the end of the suffering of the Syrian people, and the restoration of its progress and advancement require collective action by all political, social, cultural, and labor forces to transition to a new phase in which the people are freed from the fear instilled by tyranny. This will allow the release of their potential and their ability to determine the country’s affairs and interests.
The national action program that I propose to all Syrians who believe in their right to freedom and their right to self-determination is based on the following points:
Democratic System
- Transition to a Democratic System:
The country will transition from the current autocratic system, which is based on the concentration of power and the isolation of the people and its political, cultural, social, and labor forces, to a democratic system where the people are the source of authority. The new system will ensure public and individual freedoms—political, cultural, and religious—for all components of the Syrian people, and it will guarantee the principle of the peaceful transfer of power through elections. - Separation and Cooperation of Powers:
The new system will adopt the principle of the separation of powers and their cooperation, including government accountability. The legislative authority will have the right to oversight, monitoring, and questioning. The constitution will define the relationship between the three constitutional institutions: the Presidency of the Republic, the legislative authority, and the executive authority, which will be formed by the majority in the legislative authority.
Formation of a Transitional Government
- At a certain stage, to be determined by agreement among various forces and currents in the country, a temporary transitional government will be formed for a period of six months. This government will assume both legislative and executive powers and will specifically undertake the following:
- A. Abolish the state of emergency and all exceptional laws and institutions.
- B. Release all political detainees.
- C. Issue a party law that guarantees citizens the right to organize their political life according to their choices without government interference.
- D. Enact a new media law that ensures freedom of thought and expression.
- E. Introduce a new electoral law based on proportional representation.
- F. Remove all restrictions on the return of Syrians to their homeland.
- After issuing the laws related to parties, media, and elections, and abolishing the state of emergency and exceptional laws and procedures, the transitional government will set a date for electing the legislative council within three months of its formation.
Election of a New President
- The newly elected council will draft a law outlining the process for electing the President of the Republic. It will adopt the provisions related to presidential powers as outlined in the 1950 constitution. Additionally, the council will establish a temporary internal system and define the new framework for the presidency and the powers of the president in the new constitution.
- A government will emerge from the elected council, which will be responsible for running the country and will be held accountable by the council.
- The elected council will draft a new constitution for the country while simultaneously exercising legislative authority, overseeing the government, and holding it accountable.
- The temporary government will work on reorganizing state agencies and institutions, including the judiciary, within a plan to modernize them. It will also prioritize competence and integrity in selecting state employees.
- A law to combat corruption will be established, along with the creation of a commission to investigate corruption cases, preparing to refer offenders to the judiciary.
- The temporary government will form a working group for economic and financial reform aimed at increasing the country’s resources.
