Damascus, Aug. 30 (SANA) Syria’s People’s Assembly has formed 26 permanent committees, including bodies dedicated to transitional justice, victims’ affairs, human rights and reconstruction, completing a key part of its organizational structure as it moves toward specialized legislative work.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Hamid al-Awak issued Decision No. 109 of 2026 naming the committees’ members, chairs and deputy chairs, following the adoption of the legislature’s final rules of procedure on July 30.
While the committees cover traditional areas of parliamentary work — including constitutional affairs, finance, the economy, education, health, security and foreign affairs — several focus specifically on issues associated with Syria’s transitional period.
Among the most notable is the Transitional Justice and Civil Peace Committee, tasked with addressing the legacy of the ousted regime, strengthening civil peace and supporting reconciliation and justice processes.
A separate Committee for the Affairs of Victims and Martyrs of the Syrian Revolution places victims and their rights within a specialized parliamentary framework as state institutions address the legacy of the previous period.
The structure also includes a Public Freedoms and Human Rights Committee, providing a dedicated body for rights-related issues.
Reconstruction and digital transformation
Economic recovery and rebuilding are also reflected in the new committee structure.
The Investment, Reconstruction and Sustainable Development Committee will handle issues related to rebuilding infrastructure, encouraging investment and supporting economic recovery and development.
Another committee is dedicated to Communications, Digital Transformation and Information Technology, reflecting the growing role of digital technology in public administration, services and technological infrastructure.
Other specialized committees cover local administration and development, public crossings and customs, economic affairs, agriculture and food security, energy, transport and navigation, tourism, education, higher education and scientific research, health, culture and heritage.
The Assembly has also established committees covering defense and national security, diplomatic and consular affairs, media, social affairs and labor, youth and sports, family and women, and religious affairs.
How the committees fit into legislative work
The permanent committees form a central part of the Assembly’s legislative process, examining draft laws and other matters referred to them according to their areas of responsibility.
They discuss those issues and prepare recommendations and reports before legislation or other proposals are submitted to the full Assembly.
The new rules of procedure regulate the committees’ formation and operation as well as the process for examining draft laws and proposals, allowing legislation to undergo specialized scrutiny before reaching the debate and voting stages.
The committees therefore provide an institutional link between issues brought before the Assembly and legislative decision-making, dividing economic, social, public-service, political and rights-related matters among specialized bodies.
From organization to legislative work
With the 26 committees now established, the People’s Assembly has completed a major part of its internal organizational structure and is moving toward putting that framework into legislative and oversight practice.
The presence of dedicated committees dealing with transitional justice, victims, human rights, reconstruction and digital transformation distinguishes the new structure and places several issues associated with Syria’s transitional period within the formal parliamentary process.
The People’s Assembly began its work on July 12, when it held its first session in the presence of President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Members took the oath and elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker, Mustafa Mousa as first deputy speaker, Madonna Bishara as second deputy speaker and Moayd Habib as secretary.
With the permanent committees now formed and their leadership named, attention shifts to how they translate their mandates into legislative and oversight work addressing Syrians’ priorities and the rebuilding of state institutions.
N.J/MF
