Damascus, July 2 (SANA) In a move described as a “milestone” in the course of the transitional period, Syria has completed the formation of its new People’s Assembly following President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s appointment of 70 members as part of the “completing third,” who join the 137 members previously elected by provincial electoral bodies.
The formation of the Assembly is significant not only for its legislative role, but also for the profound symbolic messages it conveys. Most notably, it has drawn broad international appreciation from the United Nations and Canada, while delivering a clear message of national gratitude for the sacrifices offered by Syrians through the inclusion of former detainees held in the prisons of the deposed regime and individuals injured during the war among the Assembly’s members.
Western and UN Welcome: A Reform Step Toward a Democratic Future
The announcement of the Assembly’s composition prompted swift international reactions, reflecting cautious yet positive Western and UN expectations regarding Syria’s reform process.
Canada’s Ambassador to Syria, Gregory Galligan, described President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s appointment of the new members as “an important step in the transitional period” in a post published on X on Wednesday.
Galligan stressed that “the upcoming Assembly is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing reform, expanding political participation, and building a better future for all Syrians,” reflecting the international community’s aspiration to see new Syrian institutions founded on genuine representation.
For his part, Deputy Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Syria, Claudio Cordone, described the Assembly’s inaugural session as “a milestone in Syria’s political transition.”
Cordone reaffirmed the United Nations’ full readiness to support the Assembly, emphasizing that “each member will play a pivotal role in urgently enacting the legislation required,” particularly with regard to drafting a permanent constitution and holding inclusive elections at the conclusion of the transitional period.
A Symbolic Message: From the Darkness of Detention to the Dome
The most striking feature of the “completing third” is its humanitarian and national dimension, reflecting the current government’s recognition of the sacrifices offered by the Syrian people throughout the fourteen years of the revolution.
The list includes 13 former detainees who were imprisoned by the deposed regime, as well as five members with disabilities resulting from injuries sustained during the years of the Syrian revolution.
It also includes a range of national figures, academics, and individuals with diverse professional expertise, strengthening the Assembly’s role during the coming phase
In this context, observers believe that honoring those individuals under the Assembly’s dome is not merely symbolic representation of particular groups, but rather “a clear and powerful message,” as described by the People’s Assembly Secretary-General Mohammad Hamza Shammout, affirming that “the Syrian people cannot be broken” and that the new state owes a debt of gratitude to those who resisted and rose up.
Shammout stressed that “the emergence of former detainees from the darkness of imprisonment to represent the people in parliament, alongside the appointment of individuals who sacrificed their limbs and health, constitutes direct recognition of the sacrifices of the martyrs and the survivors of chemical massacres and detention.”
Heavy files: Transitional Justice and Reform
The Assembly’s significance extends beyond symbolism to encompass crucial legislative responsibilities that align with international expectations.
According to the United Nations, the Assembly bears “major responsibilities, including strengthening accountability and national dialogue, and advancing the process of transitional justice.”
This was also emphasized by Abdul Baset Abdul Latif, Chairman of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, who expressed his hope for “a legislative partnership that supports transitional justice, strengthens victims’ rights, and reinforces the principle of ending impunity.”
The Assembly’s first session, scheduled for 6 July, will address a number of key issues. Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi indicated that priority will be given to “discussing and approving the new Universities Organization Law” as part of efforts to modernize the academic sector and enhance governance.
In this regard, Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, Chairman of the Higher Committee for Elections, stated that the Assembly’s priorities will focus on “approving the laws regulating the work of other state authorities, as well as ratifying the state budget and international agreements.”
United Nations calls for Greater Diversity and Women’s Representation
Despite welcoming the move, UN Deputy Special Envoy Claudio Cordone stressed that the success of the transitional period “depends on the meaningful participation of Syrian women and all spectrum of society.”
Cordone noted that the new appointments have increased women’s representation in the Assembly to slightly over 10 percent. At the same time, he emphasized “the need for further efforts to ensure that state institutions during this transitional period reflect the rich diversity of Syrian society and provide genuine opportunities for the participation of all its components.”
President Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier issued Legislative Decree No. 143 of 2026, appointing the members of the new Syrian People’s Assembly.
Iman Alzuheiri/MZ
