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Diplomats

Sustained International Engagement Crucial for Syria's Transition and Sovereignty

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In the wake of the uprising that ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, international engagement and sanctions relief are vital to support Syria's political transition, ensure the meaningful inclusion of women and minorities, and protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Najat Rochdi, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, emphasized the crucial role Syrian women must play in the country's future. While Syrian women celebrated a new era, expecting relief from hardship and demands for a durable journey towards the rule of law and true equality, the transition's initial outcomes have not matched their expectations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Only six women were elected to the People's Assembly out of 119 seats contested, and two out of 11 members of the Supreme Committee for Elections are women, with women making up only 13% of the 1,400 candidates themselves.
  • Syrian women demand future electoral processes that protect their legitimate right to participate and maximize opportunities for their representation.
  • The international community must provide monumental levels of tangible support, including lifting sanctions at a quicker and larger scale, for Syria's transition to succeed.
  • External interference in Syria continues, and Israel should end its territorial incursions.
  • Sanctions must be lifted for Syria's transition to succeed, with the United States urging other Council members to consider lifting sanctions on some Syrian leaders.
  • The Syrian Democratic Forces and the transitional Government have clashed since the fall of the Al-Assad regime, and the parties should peacefully advance the 10 March agreement reached between them.
  • The response plan for humanitarian aid is only 19% funded, and the UN and its partners are reaching 3.4 million people on average each month across Syria, 25% more than the same period in 2024.
  • Some 7 million people remain internally displaced in Syria, including 1.3 million in highly vulnerable camps, and wildfires in multiple governorates are displacing families and disrupting services.
  • The humanitarian situation in Syria is "one of the world's largest humanitarian crises", affecting more than 70% of the population.
  • The UN and its partners are investing in sustainable recovery, and over 1 million refugees have returned to Syria since December, but returns will not be sustainable without investment in shelter, services, and reconstruction.

Statistics:

  • 6 women out of 119 elected to the People's Assembly (4.9%)
  • 13% of 1,400 candidates in People's Assembly elections were women
  • 2 women out of 11 members of the Supreme Committee for Elections
  • 19% funded humanitarian aid response plan
  • 3.4 million people on average each month reached by the UN and its partners across Syria
  • 25% increase in people reached by the UN and its partners compared to the same period in 2024
  • 7 million people internally displaced in Syria (54% of the population)
  • 1.3 million internally displaced people in camps
  • 10 March agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the transitional Government

Sources:

  • "Syrian women expect, and demand, future electoral processes designed to protect their legitimate right to participate and to maximize opportunities for their representation," said Najat Rochdi, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria (United Nations)
  • "The response plan is only 19% funded -- one of the lowest levels among our biggest appeals," said Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (United Nations)
  • "The cities and towns within our country are awakening to a new era of freedom, justice and equality," said Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (United Nations)

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