Syria's representative promises to convert optimism into action during their inaugural speech at the United Nations Security Council
Syria Takes Steps Towards Political Reformation and Election Accountability
The Syrian government has made unprecedented strides in cooperating with international investigators, as it prepares for elections that will be monitored by international observers. This announcement was made by Ibrahim Olabi, the new Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, during his address at the Security Council on Thursday.
Olabi, a 34-year-old British-German lawyer and human rights advocate, pledged to 'turn hope into action' and signaled a historic shift in Syria's approach to diplomacy, accountability, and national reconciliation. He outlined a comprehensive roadmap for resolving the crisis in Suwayda, a southern governorate in Syria, which was developed during a tripartite meeting in Damascus with the US and Jordan.
The roadmap envisions the creation of a local police force representative of Suwayda's diverse population, reconstruction of destroyed areas, delivery of humanitarian assistance, and a campaign to promote national unity and counter extremism. Oversight agreements have already been signed between the High Electoral Commission and civil society organizations, ensuring the electoral process will be carried out under judicial and media supervision.
Much of Olabi's statement focused on recent unrest in Suwayda, which has seen suspects from the Ministry of Defense and Interior arrested by the Syrian government. He also condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria and called on the UN Security Council to take urgent action.
In a bid to address international calls for justice and reform, Olabi acknowledged the need for election accountability and promised a minimum of 20 percent representation for women on candidate lists for the upcoming elections. He also announced that Syria will hold the first elections 'in decades' based on a genuine separation of powers.
Syria is also facing its worst drought in three decades, threatening food and water security. Olabi urged member states to fulfill their pledges to the UN's humanitarian response plan. The roadmap includes an official request for an investigation by the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and a commitment to hold accountable all perpetrators of violence, regardless of affiliation.
In his first remarks since assuming the post on Sept. 11, Olabi emphasised the importance of inclusivity, sovereignty, and civil peace in shaping Syria's future. He also pleaded with the United Nations to conduct an investigation into the unrest in Suwayda. Olabi's vision for Syria's future is one that prioritises accountability, justice, and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
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