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Council of the Syrian Charter
Faced by a set of problems and challenges as a result of an extended and devastating war, some prominent Syrian figures and Syrian community leaders found a dire need to convene meetings to discuss the overarching and cross-cutting issues in Syria, and to address the substantive challenges generated by the deteriorated conditions.
The meetings were regularly held for more than two years and after months of discussion, participants in the meetings reached a consensus on eleven (11) clauses that constitute a document named “Code of Conduct for Syrian Coexistence (CoC).” In November 2018, different prominent Syrian figures and Syrian community leaders, from different intellectual, political, social and ethnical backgrounds, signed the CoC document and adopted its principles.
In order to put those clauses into effect it was necessary to institutionalize the work of the group; therefore, in August 2018, signatories and participants in the meetings founded the “Council of the Syrian Charter,” as a social initiative that aims at building bridges among the different Syrian sects, religious groups, ethnicities, and tribes, that have been fragmented and divided because of war. The Council would also continue to advocate for sustainable peace through fostering dialogue between the different Syrian social groups.
Members
Only selected members of the council appear below. Others are not published below for personal reasons.
Dr. Sami Khiyami
Dr. Bassma Kodmani
Abdullah Rophael
Eman Shahoud
Amir Al-Dandal
Sima Abd Rabou
Dr. Mohammad Habash
Dr. Prof. Abdul Ghani Ma'a el-Bared
Mazkeen Yusef
Dr. Moustafa Kayali
Suha Al-Kaseer
Ibrahim Shaheen
Osama Abo Dikar
Ayman Abdel Nour
Mohammad Al-Ahmad
Mahmod Abul-Huda Al-Husainy
Mamdouh Tahhan
Malek Abo Kheer
Owainan Al-Jarba
Ibrahim Ibrahim Pasha
Bassam Sabbagh
Bassam Jouhar
Former members
Only selected members of the council appear below. Others are not published below for personal reasons.
Amjad Ayoub
Statements
On the tragic humanitarian situation of Syrians in camps for refugee and displaced persons
Declaration of the Council of the Syrian Charter, for immediate release
25 January 2021
On the tragic humanitarian situation of Syrians in camps for refugee and displaced persons
In its inaugural declaration the Council of the Syrian Charter pledged to monitor the ongoing humanitarian, social, and political developments in Syria. In light of this commitment, the Council has decided to issue a statement on the tragic humanitarian situation of Syrians in refugee camps;
Syrian refugees and displaced persons have been suffering for many years without any substantial solution to their problems .This is especially evident in their daily struggle in refugee camps , where the living conditions continue to devalue the human life of Syrians. Not to mention that there is no clear vision of a solution to this crisis or any genuine response to their humanitarian needs that goes beyond food and medicine.
The living conditions in the flooded and burned camps in Lebanon and in northern Syria resulted in the displacement of the already displaced Syrians. This reality is not only a humanitarian disaster, but also a moral disaster for the entire international community, which has turned a blind eye to the suffering of Syrian children, women and elderly.
Since all the efforts made by charities and charitable institutions do not amount to a solution, and seen the dire need to solve this crisis to avoid a similar scenario in the near future ;
The council therefore appeal to the international community to assume its humanitarian responsibility and to move as quickly as possible to help ease the suffering of Syrian refugees and to find a rapid and lasting solution to their crisis.
(English translation for convenience, the Arabic text is binding)
A message of solidarity to the people of Lebanon
Declaration of the Council of the Syrian Charter, for immediate release
18 August 2020
A message of solidarity to the people of Lebanon following recent events in Beirut
The members of the Council of the Syrian Charter believe that the fostering of amicable relations and the furthering of cooperation between states and societies are fundamental principles of international law and international relations. They also acknowledge that humanitarian crises have strong repercussions on the domestic circumstances of neighbouring countries.
The members of the Council are fully aware of the wide-scale devastation caused by the massive explosion in Beirut’s port. The explosion is expected to exacerbate difficult pre-existing socio-economic conditions and growing political tensions. The members of the Council are also mindful of the upfolding humanitarian crisis, as a result of the blast in which many people were killed and injured, and significant economic losses incurred.
As Syrian society previously supported the people of neighbouring countries during times of crisis, the Council of the Syrian Charter declares its full solidarity and its wholehearted support for the Lebanese people and for each and every person affected by this grave humanitarian plight.
It is with dismay and great sadness that the members of the Council convey their deepest and most sincere condolences and sympathies to the victims’ families and friends, and they wish all of those injured a full and speedy recovery. The members of the Council also hope that all affected families will soon be able to resume their lives and rebuild their livelihoods.
…
(English translation for convenience, the Arabic text is binding)
On the situation of Syrians who reside in IDP and refugee camps
Declaration of the Council of the Syrian Charter, for immediate release
9 June 2020
On the situation of Syrians who reside in IDP and refugee camps
In its inaugural declaration the Council of the Syrian Charter pledged to monitor the ongoing humanitarian, social, and political developments in Syria. In light of this commitment, the Council has decided to issue a series of statements addressing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Syria, its serious economic impact on Syrians and the situation of detainees amid the health crisis. The Council focuses on the situation of Syrians in camps in this statement.
The Council has taken on the responsibility of voicing the unheard Syrians and has been making every effort to channel their voices to all international concerned parties. Meanwhile, Syrians, who live in camps for refugee and internally displaced persons, lack the basic necessities to sustain a decent livelihood. They suffer from poverty, the spread of diseases, food and drugs shortages, and the absence of security.
The problems faced by Syrians in these camps have been exacerbated by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world, the consequences of which are unforeseeable.
The Council has identified a dire need to give extensive assistance, including food and drugs supplies, to Syrians in camps in such exceptional circumstances, based on the principle of international solidarity regarding humanitarian issues.
The Council urges the United Nations, all international and regional organisations and countries to provide Syrians living in camps with all kinds of direct support and assistance. The Council also encourages them to act responsibly and to ensure that all obstacles which hinder humanitarian assistance from reaching Syrians in need are removed, without being subjected to politicisation or favouritism. The Council also encourages these organisations to take all necessary measures to guarantee that war profiteers would not control humanitarian assistance and sell it for their own financial benefit.
…
(English translation for convenience, the Arabic text is binding)
On the humanitarian situation in Syria
Declaration of the Council of the Syrian Charter, for immediate release
9 June 2020
On the situation of Syrians who reside in IDP and refugee camps
In its inaugural declaration the Council of the Syrian Charter pledged to monitor the ongoing humanitarian, social, and political developments in Syria. In light of this commitment, the Council has decided to issue a series of statements addressing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Syria, its serious economic impact on Syrians and the situation of detainees amid the health crisis. The Council focuses on the situation of Syrians in camps in this statement.
The Council has taken on the responsibility of voicing the unheard Syrians and has been making every effort to channel their voices to all international concerned parties. Meanwhile, Syrians, who live in camps for refugee and internally displaced persons, lack the basic necessities to sustain a decent livelihood. They suffer from poverty, the spread of diseases, food and drugs shortages, and the absence of security.
The problems faced by Syrians in these camps have been exacerbated by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world, the consequences of which are unforeseeable.
The Council has identified a dire need to give extensive assistance, including food and drugs supplies, to Syrians in camps in such exceptional circumstances, based on the principle of international solidarity regarding humanitarian issues.
The Council urges the United Nations, all international and regional organisations and countries to provide Syrians living in camps with all kinds of direct support and assistance. The Council also encourages them to act responsibly and to ensure that all obstacles which hinder humanitarian assistance from reaching Syrians in need are removed, without being subjected to politicisation or favouritism. The Council also encourages these organisations to take all necessary measures to guarantee that war profiteers would not control humanitarian assistance and sell it for their own financial benefit.
…
(English translation for convenience, the Arabic text is binding)
Our mission
Syria has been witnessing a conflict, since March 2011, resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crisis’s since the end of WWII, with millions of victims between casualties, IDPs, refugees and disappeared, placing over 80 percent of the Syrian people under the poverty line.
the ongoing war has effected every aspect of the country, thus the Syrian society suffered severe social issues, like the distrust among different communities, polarization, political and social fragmentation, and the intensification of violence all over the country. The council, therefore, took it upon itself to devote the voice of the Syrian society as it’s top priority, through supporting dialogue among the different spectrums and components of this society. But also through adopt open door membership policy for all Syrians, regardless to their political, ethnical, religious and cultural background.
The Council pays special attention to the social lesion, like sectarianism and nationalism, which need to be addressed and treated through a social contract that meets the needs of all Syrians, after this devastating war, and provides the conditions for a decent living for all Syrian based on the principles of Citizenship and equality, a state of law and order.
The council mainly seeks to support the civic peace through facilitating dialogue among all different social powers. The members of the council are committed to spreading the CoC among Syrians, and encourages the UN, and all involved parties, to adopt the principles in this document as a corner stone for reconciliation.
Starting from the council’s highest priority, delivering the voice and demands of the Syrian society, the council holds regular meetings with diplomats, representatives of different governments and international community actors.
History