ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) on Monday called for “fundamental amendments” to Syria’s recently adopted constitutional declaration, stressing that it falls short of meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people in all its constituents. The SDC serves as the political wing of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In an interview with Rudaw’s Nalin Hassan, the SDC’s deputy co-chairman Afram Ishak stated that “while the constitutional declaration is an important interim step, it does not meet the expectations and hopes pinned on it to be a truly democratic constitution for all Syrians.” Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed a 53-article constitutional declaration on Thursday. The declaration centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates that the country’s president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It also maintains Syria’s official name as the Syrian "Arab" Republic. The constitutional declaration, set for a five-year transitional period, additionally grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, the authority to appoint one-third of the legislature, and the ability to appoint judges to the constitutional court, which is the body that can hold him accountable. Ishak stressed that the declaration needs fundamental amendments before it can be ratified as a permanent social contract. He also shared his take on the implementation of a recent agreement between Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-majority northeast Syria (Rojava) into Syria’s state institutions. The agreement recognizes Kurds as an indigenous component of Syrian society. "According to the agreement, two committees will be formed: a military committee to address military-related matters, and a political committee responsible for administrative and political affairs, including institutions, schools, and border crossings," Ishak explained. He called for these committees to include members from all Syrian constituents. Regarding the talks between Kurdish parties in Rojava and the new leadership in Damascus, the SDC’s deputy co-chair clarified that while no direct negotiations have taken place yet, discussions and consultations are ongoing. “There are pending matters that need resolution, and everyone is working toward solutions while preserving the region’s [Rojava’s] distinct identity,” he said, adding, “We hope to see future changes and amendments.” Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, headed by Sharaa, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad. In late January, Sharaa was appointed Syria’s interim president and has pledged commitment to an inclusive political process. However, in recent weeks, several efforts have been criticized as exclusionary by minority groups in Syria. Along with the Kurds, the constitutional declaration has faced backlash from the Druze, Christian, and Yazidi communities.
