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Madaniya’s Monthly Newsletter
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Dear colleagues, representatives of civil society organisations, and members of the press We hope you have had a productive month! Below is our newsletter for the month of October, where we share the latest developments in Madaniya and the Syrian civic space with you. Our best wishes, Madaniya’s Team
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Updates on Madaniya’s Work
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Madaniya Board Elections 2024 This year, we embarked on a new chapter in Madaniya's journey by opening elections for one-third of the Board seats, ensuring that Madaniya’s member organisations have the opportunity to participate in selecting their representatives on the Board. Recently, we completed the formation of an independent committee to oversee the elections, based on nominations from member organisations. The committee has now begun its work, reviewed the election timeline and prepared the necessary documents, technical details, and procedural requirements to move forward. The committee will oversee the electoral process in accordance with the system approved in September 2024, ensuring the integrity and transparency of the process. The Elections Committee has announced the opening of candidacies for ten seats on Madaniya's Board of Directors, allocated according to the electoral districts specified in the electoral system. We would like to note that voting in the upcoming elections will be restricted to organisations that have formalised their membership and subsequently registered in the electoral register, which will serve as the primary reference for accessing the voting platform in the upcoming elections. Heartfelt Gratitude and Appreciation for Board Members Who Have Resigned As the current term of the Board comes to an end, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the founding Board members who have decided to step down at the end of this year, in preparation for the upcoming elections. Their guidance, contributions, and support have played a significant role in the establishment and development of Madaniya since its founding.
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The Annual Syria Conference 2024 Due to the rapid regional developments, particularly concerning the Israeli war on Lebanon and its impact on Syria, which significantly affects the conference agenda and logistical arrangements, the organising committee has decided to postpone the conference to a later date, to be announced as soon as possible. This postponement aims to allow sufficient time to provide the necessary logistical support for all participants, especially concerning visa arrangements for colleagues coming from within Syria and other countries in the region. Additionally, it allows for further development of the conference agenda to consider the current developments in the region and their impact on various areas of work related to Syria.
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Madaniya’s Engagements with ongoing Events
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The Second Annual Syrian Civil Society Conference on Chemical Weapons On 22 November 2024, Madaniya, in collaboration with a group of Syrian civil society organisations including The White Helmets, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, Baytna, the Don’t Suffocate the Truth campaign, SAMS, Syrian Civil Society Networks Platform (SCNP), and The Day After, will organise the Second Annual Conference on Chemical Weapons in The Hague, titled “Eleven Years of Impunity: Significant Efforts, Slow Progress Toward Accountability” The conference will address the challenges that have hindered international investigations into the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Despite the extensive efforts by human rights organisations, rescue teams, and medical units to document attacks and present evidence to international bodies such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations, justice remains elusive. The conference will explore ways to enhance accountability by discussing the progress achieved in international investigations, including efforts by the OPCW's Investigation and Identification Team, which has confirmed the Syrian regime’s involvement in multiple chemical attacks. The first session will focus on Current Challenges and Progress Achieved, where participants will discuss obstacles faced by investigative teams, such as limited site access and pressures from the Syrian regime and its allies to manipulate evidence and intimidate witnesses. In the second session, Accountability Gaps for Chemical Weapons Use, the discussion will address the inability of the International Criminal Court to prosecute the Syrian regime due to political barriers, despite the potential for international accountability. Finally, the third session, Exceptional Crimes Demand Exceptional Justice, will introduce the initiative for an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal launched last year, aiming to prosecute chemical weapons perpetrators in Syria under international conventions, based on the sovereign rights of states. Through these sessions, participating organisations seek to mobilise the international community for urgent action against impunity and to strengthen efforts toward achieving justice for the victims and survivors of chemical weapons attacks in Syria. We invite you to contact us if you have any questions about this conference.
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Consultative Meeting with the Syrian Negotiation Commission in Berlin Madaniya participated in a consultative meeting organised by the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) with Syrian civil society organisations in Berlin on 4–5 October 2024. This meeting was part of a series of consultations held by the SNC in various capitals, set against a backdrop of rapidly evolving political developments and the need to unify efforts to address the ongoing situation in Syria and the broader regional and international landscape. The meeting reviewed the latest updates on the Syrian political process and the diplomatic initiatives led by the SNC to advance a comprehensive settlement based on UN resolutions. The discussions also addressed the challenges facing these efforts, particularly the shifting regional and international positions, which underscore the need for continuous cooperation between the SNC and civil society to achieve concrete outcomes. In its remarks, Madaniya highlighted its ongoing relationship with the SNC, referencing a collaborative initiative launched last year to establish a Communication Committee aimed at fostering regular dialogue between the two entities. This coordination is seen as essential for exchanging ideas and aligning strategies on key issues that impact the Syrian people and their future. Madaniya emphasised that the role of civil society is not to negotiate on behalf of the people but to engage in the political process as active citizens. This role supports a shared responsibility between the SNC and civil society to bring clear and reality-based messages to the negotiation table. Madaniya also discussed the role of civil society in empowering Syrians, maintaining direct contact with them, and understanding their needs, as well as the importance of strengthening political participation for civil society while maintaining independence from political agendas. Madaniya concluded its participation by underscoring the importance of further developing cooperation and coordination between the SNC and civil society to ensure effective communication and impactful future engagements. This approach helps clarify a shared vision to support the negotiation process, achieving justice and stability for the Syrian people.
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Updates on the Work of Member Organisations
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In this section, we review the achievements and developments in the work of Madaniya's member organisations.
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Launch Session for Olive Branch’s Report on Syrian Youth and the Public Sphere Olive Branch shared an invitation to attend the online launch session for its new research report, “Bridging the Gap: Syrian Youth and the Public Sphere – A Study on Barriers and Drivers of Participation in Three Regions of Syria.” This report aims to shed light on the reasons behind Syrian youth's absence from the public sphere and focuses on ways to activate their role in societal and political issues. The report, based on interviews and data collected from three different regions in Syria, reveals that a significant portion of youth are interested in public affairs but face considerable barriers hindering their effective participation. It provides a comprehensive analysis of these barriers, which include economic pressures, security threats, the dominance of traditional political structures over decision-making, and a lack of political awareness. The study also highlights gender-based knowledge gaps, uncovering distinct differences in political awareness between young men and women, as well as notable variations across age groups within each region. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between youth and the public sphere, making it a valuable tool for decision-makers and civil society actors working to enhance youth participation. Session Details: The session will offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from youth-led civil society organisations within Syria, who will share their experiences and perspectives on ways to better empower youth and address the challenges limiting their engagement. The discussions will also focus on proposed solutions to bridge the gap between youth and the public sphere and to strengthen local authorities’ awareness of the importance of involving youth in decision-making processes. To register for the session, please fill out the form via the following link: Registration Link To read the full report, visit the provided link. |
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In this section, we highlight the latest reports and updates issued by Syrian organisations or about Syria during the month.
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New Displacement: From Lebanon After September 2024 – A Report by Bahar Organisation Bahar Organisation has released a report titled “New Displacement from Lebanon After September 2024,” highlighting the humanitarian impacts and significant consequences of the rising displacement following the recent military escalation in Lebanon. Since the intensification of hostilities on 23 September, over 294,000 people have fled to Syria, with 70% of them being Syrians. These displaced individuals face substantial risks along their journey, including continued shelling along the borders and a deteriorating security situation. Most refugees are heading to areas such as Damascus, Rural Damascus, Homs, and Tartus, in addition to regions outside of Syrian regime control in Northeast and Northwest Syria. Upon arrival, the displaced encounter numerous challenges, including lack of legal protection, risks of arbitrary detention and forced conscription, and difficulties in reclaiming destroyed or seized housing and property. The report strongly recommends enhancing immediate humanitarian support for the displaced, including the provision of shelter, food, and healthcare, with an emphasis on strengthening legal protections for new arrivals and ensuring safe passage across contested areas. Additionally, the report calls for addressing legal gaps concerning housing and property rights and for supporting the reintegration of displaced individuals within local communities, especially in light of the social and political divisions wrought by the conflict. Furthermore, the report stresses the need for sustained long-term support through livelihood programs and infrastructure development, particularly in the areas of health, education, and water. To read the full report, visit the provided link. |
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Chemical Weapons in Syria: Corporate Responsibility – A Report by the Don’t Suffocate the Truth Campaign and the Syrian Legal Development Programme The Syrian Legal Development Programme, in collaboration with the Don’t Suffocate the Truth campaign, has released a new report focusing on the legal and ethical responsibility of companies that supplied the Syrian regime with chemicals used in the production of chemical weapons, which were subsequently deployed in attacks on civilians, such as the 2013 Ghouta attack. The report asserts that these companies were not merely suppliers but active participants in human rights violations, warranting international accountability. The report draws on international examples of corporate prosecutions in similar cases, including IG Farben, which supported the Nazi regime, and Lafarge, which was implicated in financing terrorist groups in Syria. It also highlights cases of Belgian and German companies that exported chemicals like isopropanol, used to manufacture sarin gas, as well as the case of Dutch businessman Frans van Anraat, who was convicted for supplying chemical materials to Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. The report calls for strengthening international laws and expanding sanctions on companies involved in such violations. It also stresses the need to facilitate victims' access to accountability and justice mechanisms. Furthermore, it recommends the enactment of mandatory human rights due diligence laws to hold both local and international companies accountable for their role in enabling Syria's chemical weapons arsenal. In addition, the report emphasises the importance of implementing human rights due diligence policies across all business activities to address any negative impacts linked to corporate actions and to increase awareness of business responsibility in human rights violations. It underlines the need to support victims in pursuing appropriate paths to justice. To read the full report, please access it via the provided link.
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