Participatory Approach to Writing a Permanent Constitution in Syria
Date: June 2026
This paper examines a participatory approach to drafting Syria’s permanent constitution as a cornerstone of the country’s transitional process. It argues that constitution-making is not merely a legal exercise but a political and societal process that can establish a new social contract, rebuild trust between the state and society, and support a peaceful democratic transition. The study combines a review of comparative constitutional experiences with extensive consultations involving Syrians from different regions, refugees, diaspora communities, constitutional experts, and representatives of women, youth, and victims to ensure an inclusive and participatory constitutional process.
The paper concludes that a legitimate constitutional process requires a clear legal framework, a phased and transparent roadmap, and broad public participation through local and national dialogue. It identifies broad consensus on key constitutional principles, including democratic governance, separation of powers, judicial independence, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, civilian oversight of the military, and an elected constituent body to draft the permanent constitution. At the same time, it highlights that issues such as decentralization and national identity require broader dialogue to achieve sustainable consensus. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen civic and constitutional education, ensure the inclusion of all Syrians in the constitutional process, and link constitution-making with transitional justice, thereby enhancing the legitimacy of the constitution and supporting the establishment of a democratic, inclusive, and stable Syrian state.
