The Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) is an umbrella political body which represents the broadest spectrum of Syrian revolution and opposition forces. It is a functional entity whose mandate is to negotiate with the Syrian regime within UN-sponsored pathways. It is currently led by Bader Jamous.[1]
| Abbreviation | SNC |
|---|---|
| Formation | December 10, 2015 |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Location | |
Region | Syria |
Chairman/president | Bader Jamous |
| Website | snc-sy.org |
In December 2015, various Syrian opposition forces convened Riyadh I Conference in Saudi Arabia. It was attended by around 150 opposition figures and the formation of the Syrian Negotiation Commission (at the time named High Negotiation Commission) was declared at the end of the conference.[2]
In December 2015, the Security Council issued resolution no. 2254[3] which provided for launching formal negotiations between representatives of the Syrian opposition and of the regime in order to reach a durable political settlement and establish a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governing body, adopting a pathway for the drafting of a new constitution for Syria and holding free elections under UN auspices. The United Nations then officially recognized the SNC as the sole representative of the Syrian opposition.
Formation
editThe SNC comprised 37 members representing six components[4]
- 8 from the National Coalition of Revolution and Opposition Forces
- 5 from the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change Forces
- 4 from Cairo Platform
- 4 from Moscow Platform
- 7 from military factions
- 8 independents
- 1 from the Kurdish National Council
The SNC launched the Executive Framework for a Political Solution in Syria.[5] It held that a political solution must be based on Geneva Communique[6]
and UNSCRs 2118[7] and 2254 [8] which provide for the establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
The SNC then took part in the UN-sponsored Geneva III and Geneva IV negotiations. The SNC also sent an advisory delegation to Astana I negotiations which were held under the auspices of Russia and Türkiye as guarantors.
In February 2017, the fourth round of Geneva negotiations were held and the UN Special Envoy to Syria presented four baskets to negotiate,[9] namely:
- Establishment of credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance
- Drafting a new constitution
- Holding free and fair elections pursuant to a new constitution
- Counter terrorism.
In November 2017, the SNC held Riyadh II Conference [10] in which it discussed expanding the SNC to broaden representation and involve more national figures in the SNC particularly from inside Syria and increasing women representation.
The SNC asserted that its mandate was to negotiate with the regime to realize a democratic political transition through the establishment of a transitional governing body capable of preparing a safe and neutral environment within which the transitional process proceeds in accordance with international resolutions.
In September 2019, the UN Secretary General announced the establishment of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. The Large Body of the Constitutional Committee comprised 150 members divided equally on the three parties: the SNC, the Syrian regime and civil society.
Geneva II
editMain article: Geneva II Conference on Syria
Geneva II Conference for Peace in Syria (or simply Geneva II) was a UN-backed international conference held in Geneva with the aim of ending the conflict in Syria, by bringing together the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition.
Geneva III
editMain article: Geneva Peace Talks on Syria (2016)
Syrian peace talks in Geneva, also known as Geneva III, were peace negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva under the auspices of the UN and the Vienna peace talks group on Syria and the UN Security Council.
Geneva IV
editMain article: Geneva Peace Talks on Syria (2017)
The Geneva IV peace talks on Syria were peace negotiations between the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition under the auspices of the United Nations.
Geneva VIII
editThe last round of Geneva talks, also known as Geneva VIII, was held in November 2017 and was concluded on 15 December when then UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan De Mistura, declared that “negotiations, in reality, in the end, did not take place”[11]
References
edit- ^ "Syrian Negotiation Commission – Negotiating opposition institution seeking to implement United Nations Security Council resolutions related to Syria". Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "الهيئة العليا للمفاوضات السورية". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ Year: 2015), UN Security Council (70th (2015-12-18). "Resolution 2254 (2015) /: adopted by the Security Council at its 7588th meeting, on 18 December 2015" (in Spanish).
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Syrian Negotiation Commission – Negotiating opposition institution seeking to implement United Nations Security Council resolutions related to Syria". Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ spare (2016-09-07). "Syrian Opposition Sets out Executive Framework for Political Solution in Syria". Syrian National Coalition Of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Final Communiqué of the Action Group for Syria (Geneva Communiqué) | UN Peacemaker". peacemaker.un.org. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ Year: 2013), UN Security Council (68th (2013-09-27). "Resolution 2118 (2113) /: adopted by the Security Council at its 7038th meeting, on 27 September 2013".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Year: 2015), UN Security Council (70th (2015-12-18). "Resolution 2254 (2015) /: adopted by the Security Council at its 7588th meeting, on 18 December 2015" (in Spanish).
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Briefing to the Security Council on the outcomes of Geneva 4 | The United Nations Office at Geneva". www.ungeneva.org. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Syrian revolution forces and opposition expanded conference issues final communique". spa.gov.sa (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Transcript of Press Conference by UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura | The United Nations Office at Geneva". www.ungeneva.org. 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
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