The leader de facto From the new Syria, the Islamist commander Ahmed al Shara, has said several times in the last weeks that “the revolutionary mentality” must already be left aside, key in the overthrow of the Bachar regime the Asad last December, to focus now in rebuilding the institutions required by the country. But the head of the Syrian opposition in exile, Hadi Al Bahra (Damascus, 65 years old), does not agree: “The objective of the revolution was not only the fall of the regime, but to achieve justice, freedom and democracy. So the revolution continues, ”he says.
In theory, the entity that chairs the Bahra, the Syrian National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition forces (CNS), to which several political groups and rebel factions that participated in the final offensive against the ASAD are assigned, it should have been in charge to manage the transfer of power to a new transition government. But the facts on the ground have been overcome: after the rapid collapse of the regime, a provisional government controlled exclusively by the Hayat Tahrir Salafistas al Sham (HTS) and Ahmed al Shara has formed. The country interviews Hadi Al Bahra at the headquarters of the CNS in Istanbul, after his return from a trip to Damascus, where he held a long meeting with Al Shara on how to manage this phase.
Ask. Was there agreement at your meeting? What matters do you differ in?
Answer. It was a first meeting, exploratory. He explained his vision and us. It was very transparent and there was a positive attitude. In general, we agree on the transition process. The provisional government will give way to a transition government [en teoría, a partir del 1 de marzo]. There will be a national dialogue conference from which a committee that drafted the new Constitution and then there will be a referendum, and then presidential and parliamentary elections. We also believe that the conference should also leave a legislative body that operates during the transition period. And we have stressed that the future transition government must be inclusive and credible to the entire Syrian people, to reassure the international community on the direction that Syria takes.
P. That conference has been postponed several times [se baraja que sea a finales de febrero]. One of the guests to participate explained to El País that most members – in the draft of the list – were Islamists linked to HTS.
R. We have to make sure everything is done in the right way. It must be plural and cannot be dominated by one of the parties. It must include members of the unions, civil society, different political parties, including HTS. We are glad that the conference has postponed because that means that they do not insist on carrying out their initiatives but that they are listening to opinions from various actors.
P. The Shara has said that four years could happen before elections are convened.
R. That is the most pessimistic scenario. If there is serious work, rewriting the Constitution could be completed in a year, because we do not start from scratch. There has been a lot of work by civil society in developing a project of constitution. What will take longer is to rebuild the census, because we have been without a complete civil registry, since there were many areas outside the control of the regime [ha habido hasta cuatro administraciones diferentes operando simultáneamente en diversas zonas del país]; And we have to tell those who fled from Syria and their children. This will require a lot of help from our friends and UN countries. If this process is handled professionally, it could be completed in two years. Being realistic, in three years.
P. What state model defend from the CNS?
R. We want a multi -party political system and a state in which all citizens have equal rights and duties, without discrimination for religious or ethnic reasons.
P. Do you want to avoid a model similar to Lebanese or Iraqi?
R. Indeed. There was never a sectarian cast of power in Syria until the arrival of the regime [de El Asad]. We do not see a future with a Muslim or Christian or Aleppo political party, but in each party there are people from different ethnic and religious origins.
P. As for the territorial administration, is there room for some type of autonomy that facilitates the integration of kurdish militias [actualmente gestionan su propia administración en el noreste de Siria] or will there be a centralized government? Could the provincial limits be redesigned?
R. There can be no groups that have more rights or obligations than others. Local councils could be given more power, why not. Regarding the provinces, it will be done what best suits the entire Syrian people, not according to the ethnic group or religion of the inhabitants of a certain province.
P. What role should the Sharia [la legislación basada en la normativa islámica que, en Siria, es la base del código civil, pero cuyo papel los islamistas desean extender]?
R. We cannot take our skin. Syria is a country where most people are Sunni Muslim, and that cannot be changed. So we must respect the Islamic religion; That has been like that in all our constitutional history.
P. What should be the scope of transitional justice?
R. This is a process that we must accelerate because, if not, peace will end. The victims need to be sure that justice will be done or in another way we will see more and more acts of individual revenge. There are crimes against humanity, massacres, in which all those involved must be persecuted until the end. But there are smaller crimes in which citizens can be involved and in which, if the victims choose it, the culprits can be forgiven.
P. But there are soldiers of the old regime, especially in the Alauí population areas [la rama chií a la que pertenecía el clan Asad]who fear being executed. A process, willn’t they increase their fear and clashes with HTS security forces that are already being produced?
R. On the contrary. Because, if you explain how the process will work and who committed such a crime will receive two or three years in jail or that it could even be free if you recognize it and the victim’s family forgives him, perhaps these military decide to surrender. That is why it is essential to announce the transitional justice mechanisms as soon as possible; delay it will harm the country.
P. Should members also be prosecuted for HTS and rebel groups for the crimes they have committed during the 13 years of civil war?
R. Justice has to apply to all with the same standard. It is already an individual, a small or a large group.
P. We are seeing, especially among the South rebel groups, that there is some reluctance to dissolve and integrate into the new army, as the new authorities have requested.
R. Let me correct you. All armed groups agree to integrate into a united army that serves the people and protect the Constitution, not the ruling regime. In what is differences is in the calendar. Some choose to integrate already, others claim that this is still a provisional government not recognized by law, and that when a recognized and inclusive transition government is established, they will leave weapons and join the army.
P. Should the sanctions on Syria be eliminated?
R. We must accelerate the lifting of the sanctions because the Syrian people are suffering and we have to carry humanitarian assistance as soon as possible. But we understand the complication of the West ‘policies.
P. For now, just over 150,000 refugees have returned. What do your compatriots tell you here in Türkiye?
R. Most want to return, but they need minimal conditions. Right now it would be very dangerous for the stability of Syria to have a great influx of returnees. Housing, public services, schools, health and, most importantly, employment opportunities are needed. Otherwise, the only thing we will do will be to saturate an infrastructure that is in painful conditions.
