Syria forms committee to draft transitional constitution after Assad’s overthrow

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on March 2 establishing a committee of experts to draft a constitutional declaration for the country’s transitional phase, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

This initiative is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding Syria’s political framework after decades of Assad's rule, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The newly formed committee consists of distinguished legal experts, including Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a constitutional law scholar, Yasser al-Huwaish, the recently appointed dean of Damascus University's law faculty, and Ismail al-Khalfan, an expert in international law. Mohammad Reda Jalkhi, also specializing in international law, and Bahia Mardini, a journalist with a doctorate in law, complete the committee. Mardini is notable for being the only woman in this group of experts.

According to the presidential decree, the committee’s responsibility is to draft the constitutional declaration that will guide Syria through its transitional period. The committee is expected to submit its proposals to President al-Sharaa, though no specific timeline has been provided.

This move is aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people to build a state founded on the rule of law, as stated by the Syrian Presidency. The formation of the committee follows the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, which was held last week and attended by a wide array of societal figures. The conference aimed to outline a roadmap for Syria’s future post-Assad, with President Sharaa participating on the second day.

The final statement from the conference called for the expedited creation of a temporary constitutional declaration to address the constitutional vacuum and ensure the smooth functioning of the state. Additionally, the conference agreed to form a committee to draft a permanent constitution that will enshrine a balance of powers, strengthen justice, freedom, and equality, and promote the rule of law and institutional governance.

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia on December 8, marked the end of the Baath Party’s nearly 25-year rule. On January 29, 2025, the Syrian administration appointed Sharaa as president during the transitional period. The decision also included the dissolution of armed factions, security agencies, and the parliament, the annulment of the previous constitution, and the disbanding of the Baath Party.

By Vafa Guliyeva