Syrian activists are preparing for a sit-in titled “Law and Dignity” on 17 April in Yousef al-Azma Square, at the heart of Damascus. The date coincides with the eightieth anniversary of the evacuation of French colonial forces from Syria, a moment whose symbolism now acquires a new resonance amid the country’s unsettled transition and deepening social and economic strain.
The call for the sit-in emerges at a time when public debate is intensifying over the nature of the transitional phase and the scope of the current authority’s mandate. Against this backdrop, the organisers present their initiative as an attempt to reclaim civic space and articulate a clear set of reformist priorities.
Political Demands and the Question of Justice
In their statement, activists from Damascus set out ten demands for political and economic reform, signalling a new phase of civic mobilisation. They insist that transitional authorities must honour their responsibilities and exercise their powers in a manner that enables a genuine political transition, one grounded in an inclusive national dialogue that ultimately leads to elections.
Central to their vision is the activation of a transitional justice process. The statement calls for accountability for those implicated in violations, and for the establishment of non-judicial mechanisms within state institutions that can address wrongdoing without resorting to arbitrary dismissals. The signatories also reject what they describe as attempts to “reproduce the defunct regime,” urging an end to the rehabilitation of its figures, the cancellation of settlements with its former power brokers, and the prevention of their appointment to official positions during the current stage.
The statement further calls for expanding political participation through free elections for local councils and unions, and for revitalising the role of political parties. It stresses the need to prevent any single party from monopolising authority.
Other demands focus on the application of principles of good governance. These include adopting competence, integrity, and transparency in appointments, ending what the statement terms the “chaos of jurisdictions,” combating corruption, and safeguarding the independence of the judiciary.
Economic Pressures and Human Rights Concerns
On the economic front, the statement highlights the urgency of achieving economic justice. It calls for halting price increases until wages are adjusted, regulating markets, curbing monopolies, and linking salaries to the actual cost of living.
It also underscores the need to protect basic public services such as electricity, water, healthcare, and education. These are described as rights that must remain accessible to all, with equitable distribution and without moves toward privatisation.
The statement turns to the plight of vulnerable groups, calling for social justice measures that support retirees, women, displaced children, and the families of victims and survivors. It also urges protection for traders, industrialists, craftsmen, day labourers, and the self-employed, insisting that their livelihoods and property must not be jeopardised in the current economic climate.
The organisers demand a pause in reconstruction and investment plans that could dispossess residents and the displaced of their rights. They call for guarantees that ensure the safe and dignified return of those uprooted, free from partnerships with actors implicated in violations.
The statement concludes with an appeal to safeguard rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly, and to criminalise hate speech and incitement. It also calls for a review of laws that entrench discrimination among different segments of society. For the organisers, these demands form the essential foundation for any meaningful reform, and they urge an immediate response to secure dignity, justice, and equality for all Syrians.
“Justice for All” to Monitor the Sit-in
In a separate development, Mutassim al-Kilani, an expert in international criminal law and human rights, noted that the country’s temporary constitutional declaration guarantees Syrians the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, protest, and opinion. He explained that the state carries two obligations: a negative obligation to refrain from obstructing these rights, and a positive obligation to protect them in accordance with constitutional jurisprudence.
The organisation “Justice for All” announced its participation as an observer in the sit-in scheduled for Friday, 17 April, in front of the Damascus Governorate building. Its involvement is presented as part of its mandate to support and protect the right to expression and peaceful assembly in Syria.
According to its statement, a team of lawyers and specialists in legal and media fields will monitor and document the proceedings using professional methods. Their work will include assessing participants’ adherence to the peaceful nature of the gathering, evaluating the conduct of the relevant authorities in ensuring the safety of participants, and documenting any violations, incitement, or hate speech in accordance with established legal standards.
The organisation added that the team will issue a detailed human rights report on its findings as soon as possible after the sit-in concludes.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
