On Thursday, the Syrian People’s Assembly formally approved Legislative Decree No. 22 to abolish the National Reconciliation Commission.
The head of the Parliament’s Financial Laws Committee, Ammar Bekdash, described the decision to cancel the committee as wise because it has outgrown its role and is no longer of benefit. He also called for the abolition of the reconciliation committee in the People’s Assembly by virtue of its cancellation in the executive authority, indicating that the parliament has the right to cancel any committee if it deems to be of no use.
Speaker of the People’s Council, Hammouda Sabbagh, said that this issue will be discussed at the appropriate time, according to Al-Watan.
The decision to abolish the commission came about two years after it was created as a substitute for the Ministry of Reconciliation, which was canceled pursuant to Decree No. 19 of 2018, six years after its creation. Former minister, Ali Haidar, presided over the commission after the ministry was canceled.
During the six years between 2012 and 2018, the ministry was unable to realize the achievements that reflect the goals announced by Haidar, and with its transformation into a public commission, its role further diminished until it was almost forgotten by people, had today’s decision to abolish it not reminded them of it.
The decision to cancel the commission begs the following question: Have we reached a stage of despair when it comes to national reconciliation? Is there no longer any benefit for the existence of a reconciliation commission, as per Bekdash’s opinion? Are there other bodies that handle reconciliation processes and is that why there is no need for a dysfunctional commission to exist?
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
