Justice for Life participated in the meeting held by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres with representatives of Syrian civil society organizations in Damascus on 26 July 2026.
During the meeting, Justice for Life emphasized that protecting civic space is a fundamental pillar for the success of Syria’s transitional phase, stressing the importance of empowering civil society as a key partner in policymaking, advancing transitional justice, peacebuilding, and strengthening the rule of law.
Your Excellency, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres,
Thank you for this opportunity.
I would like to speak today about a central issue for the future of Syria: civic space and the role of civil society in the transition.
The political transformations in Syria have opened a historic window for redefining the relationship between the state and society, and for moving towards a state that respects dignity, rights, and freedoms, and is based on participation, accountability, and the rule of law. At this stage, civic space is directly linked to transitional justice, human rights, governance, social cohesion, peacebuilding, and reconstruction.
Civil society plays a pivotal role in these processes, not only through participation, but also by activating public oversight and accountability of state institutions, monitoring the needs of local communities, and conveying their voices and demands to decision-makers. Therefore, ensuring the participation of victims, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups is essential for the success of the transition.
Despite some relative openness, civic space remains fragile, hampered by laws and procedures that restrict the ability of civil organizations and initiatives to operate independently and flexibly. Civil society is still sometimes viewed as a service provider or project implementer, while in reality it is a key partner in policymaking, a voice for local communities, and an actor in peacebuilding and promoting transparency and accountability.
Therefore, we see three essential paths:
First, establishing a flexible legal framework that guarantees freedom of association, simplifies registration and funding procedures, protects activists and civil society actors, and supports youth initiatives.
Second, creating a permanent consultation mechanism between the government and civil society that ensures genuine participation in drafting the constitution, local governance laws, transitional justice processes, and public policies, and strengthens community oversight of state institutions.
Third, enhancing support from the United Nations and the international community for Syrian civil society, both technically and financially, and ensuring its direct and transparent participation in the transitional phase, while preserving its independence and national ownership.
Protecting civic space is not a political luxury, but a necessity for building sustainable peace, achieving a genuine political transition, and establishing a state of law that respects the rights of all Syrians. We want this phase to be an opportunity to build a new relationship between the state and society, based on participation, trust, and accountability, and for civil society to have a genuine role in shaping Syria’s future.
Thank you.
