Syrian Initiative for Fundamental Rights

Who We Are

The Syrian Initiative for Fundamental Rights is an independent Syrian framework and coordinating coalition bringing together a group of Syrian organisations working on human rights, transitional justice, legal analysis, public policy, governance, and peacebuilding. It serves as a platform for coordination, cooperation, and the development of shared visions and analyses. The Initiative does not constitute an executive entity replacing its member organisations, unless otherwise stipulated in its internal regulations.

The Initiative was established in 2026 in response to the need for an independent platform that monitors and analyses legislation, public policies, and executive measures in Syria from a human-rights and rule-of-law perspective. It also seeks to contribute to the development of public institutions grounded in equality, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights.

The Initiative operates as an independent legal and technical framework that is not affiliated with any political, partisan, religious, or governmental entity. It is committed to neutrality and independence in its human-rights and policy work, focusing on developing legal and policy analyses, producing practical recommendations, and promoting public debate on issues related to fundamental rights and institutional transformation in Syria.

Context

Syria is undergoing a complex transitional phase accompanied by profound political, legal, and institutional transformations after years of conflict and structural violations that have affected state institutions, weakened the rule of law, and restricted fundamental rights and freedoms.

In this context, multiple challenges have emerged, including rebuilding public institutions, ensuring judicial independence, addressing the consequences of widespread violations, and reconsidering legislation and public policies that have negatively affected the rights of citizens.

Although the 2025 Constitutional Declaration included commitments to respect human rights and the international treaties ratified by Syria, transforming these principles into practice requires independent monitoring and specialised legal and policy analysis, alongside effective contributions from Syrian civil society and experts.

Accordingly, the Syrian Initiative for Fundamental Rights was established as a framework seeking to contribute to building a state founded on the rule of law and equal citizenship, through the development of analyses, recommendations, and alternative policies grounded in international standards while taking into account the specificities of the Syrian context.

Nature of the Initiative and Its Tools

The Initiative does not function as an executive body or as a substitute for state institutions. Rather, it serves as an independent framework aimed at providing analysis and technical expertise, supporting the development of policies and legislation, promoting respect for fundamental rights, and contributing to building institutions founded on the rule of law and accountability.

The Initiative seeks to contribute to developing a professional and rights-based discussion on the future of public policies and fundamental rights in Syria, in a manner that supports the establishment of a more just, equal, and rights-based state.

The Initiative relies on analytical reports, policy papers, legal memoranda, and human-rights analyses, as well as organising dialogue sessions and workshops, in addition to advocacy and engagement with relevant local and international actors, with the aim of developing practical recommendations and policies that respond to the Syrian context and align with international human-rights standards.

Vision

The Initiative seeks to contribute to building a democratic Syria founded on equal citizenship and the rule of law, in which all Syrians, individuals and groups, as well as all persons within Syrian legal jurisdiction, enjoy their rights and freedoms without any form of discrimination.

Mission

To promote respect for fundamental rights in Syria through independent monitoring and analysis of legislation, public policies, and executive measures, and through developing practical recommendations that support the rule of law, justice, equality, and the establishment of accountable public institutions that respect human rights.

Values and Principles

• Independence: The Initiative operates independently from any political, partisan, or governmental entity.
• Commitment to Human Rights: The Initiative adopts the international human-rights framework as a core reference in its work and analyses.
• Rule of Law: The Initiative believes in the importance of building public institutions governed by law and operating according to principles of transparency and accountability.
• Equality and Non-Discrimination: The Initiative is committed to defending equal rights for all Syrians without discrimination.
• Participation and Inclusivity: The Initiative encourages public dialogue and broad participation in discussing public policies and issues.
• Sustainable Justice: The Initiative believes that achieving stability and social peace requires genuine justice, institutional reform, and guarantees against the recurrence of violations.