Syrian opposition business tycoon, Firas Tlass, announced the establishment of a new party, under the name The Syrian National Party, in partnership with a group of Syrian youths, according to an announcement on his Facebook page.
Tlass said that the party will begin its work in the liberated areas first, and then expand to wherever Syrians are, including the regime-held areas, according to a “secret mechanism.” He added that the party is the result of a lot of effort and preparation.
Tlass encouraged those interested in learning more about the new party to join dialogue sessions. He fleshed out some of the party’s principles and opened the floor for public debate on his Facebook page. The principles are based on welfare and freedom as supreme values, without exposing the state, society or its members to material and direct harm.
The new party embraces the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the United Nations adopted on December 10, 1948, as well as the belief in the concept of citizenship and full equality among all citizens. The party also upholds equal rights between men and women before the law.
The new party rejects any religious or non-religious ideology playing a guardianship role over the state, society or individuals. The party also believes in promoting citizenship and the national identity, while preserving cultural, religious, and national identities.
Tlass spoke about the principles of citizenship and the right to live in dignity and freedom, adding that the human being is the basis for the party’s principles. Tlass said that the executive authorities should not interfere in the ideological aspect of people’s lives, “be it a belief, practice or call, which should fall within the broad scope of freedom whose only red line should be causing direct harm to society or its members.”
Tlass had announced that field activity would start in seven regions in Syria — namely Damascus, Aleppo, the central region, the coast, southern Syria, the Northeast, and the Northwest — in addition to six countries with a large Syrian presence, where parties are free to exist.
He added that the party will be funded by donations from its members overseas and will not receive funding from any country. He added that the average age of the founding members is 31.
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.
