Syrian constitutional committee officially launched in Geneva

GENEVA - The Syrian Constitutional Committee made up of opposition, civil society and government delegations -- each with 50 members -- began its work here as scheduled on Wednesday.

The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, together with the Committee's Co-Chairs, Ahmad Kuzbari from the Government and Hadi Albahra from the Opposition, launched the start of the Committee in an opening ceremony with the 150 members sitting for the first time in the same room inside the UN headquarters in Geneva.

Describing the event as a "historic moment," Pedersen encouraged the committee members to be patient, persistent and ready to compromise and to engage constructively.

"I know that it is not easy for all of you to be here together in this room, and I respect that. I know that there are deep feelings among you, reflecting the deep feelings among all Syrians after nearly nine years of violent conflict," he said.

"But the fact that you are here today sitting together face-to-face ready to start a dialogue and negotiations; this is a powerful sign of hope for Syrians everywhere, both inside and outside the country," he said.

The UN envoy told the committee members that it was his sincere hope that by feeling the good intentions from each other from the very beginning, trust and a positive working environment will be created.

He stressed that constitutional reform is "a good entry point" to heal the wounds suffered by the Syrian people, because the constitution concerns fundamental rights, political, cultural, social and economic rights, the rule of law and good governance.

The decision to establish the Syrian Constitutional Committee was adopted in Sochi, Russia, in January 2018.