By Robin Omar
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Civil Society Organizations in North East Syria (CSO-NES) plays significant roles including providing data, information, and guidance to local authorities and administrative bodies. As well as, it collaborates with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to make better decisions and meet the basic needs of the population, however, the coalition still lacks its role as a bridge between decision-makers and the community.
Regarding the role of civil society and its objectives in northeast Syria, Ali al-Alis, a member of the CSO-NES, stated to North Press, “As a civil society, we have diverse objectives, including promoting human rights, fostering community participation, advancing social justice, and delivering essential services to the people of the region.”
The role of the civil society
The civil society in northeast Syria is actively involved in raising awareness and educating the community about social issues, including the environment, the economy, and other matters that directly impact their daily lives, according to al-Alis.
The civil society in this region strives to participate in decision-making processes and influence the policies and laws implemented by the AANES. However, their efforts are hindered by limited opportunities for freedom of expression, al-Alis added.
He further explained that the CSO-NES works on providing data, information, and guidance to local authorities and administrative bodies. As well as, it collaborates with the AANES to make better decisions and meet the basic needs of the population, primarily focusing on delivering essential services.
Al-Alis highlights that the civil society plays a crucial role in shedding light on the problems faced by the residents of the region. Currently, their main role is to advocate for social issues, such as addressing the challenges arising from Turkish interventions on Syrian territory.
Furthermore, he mentions that the civil society actively works on addressing drug abuse and strives to implement creative projects and services that promote social awareness and solutions for human rights and women’s rights.
Not on the same level
Abbas Musa, a civil society activist, explained in an interview with North Press that civil society, in its organized form, became evident as events unfolded in Syria. It emerged in response to the need for non-military and non-violent activities. However, the concept of civil society in Syria existed before these events occurred.
Musa emphasized that in northeast Syria, the role of civil society cannot be separated. It consists of the general society at the base, decision-makers (authority) at the top, and civil society in the middle.
He highlighted multiple roles played by the civil society, including conveying the needs of the general society to decision-makers.
This can involve both pressuring decision-makers and ensuring the voice of the general society is heard. Additionally, there are instances where the general society and decision-makers are engaged in public discussions, facilitated through diverse tools utilized by civil organizations, as Musa explained.
Musa further explained that civil society performs various roles, but not on the same level, but it lacks its role as a bridge between decision-makers and the community.
Musa further clarify his opinion by mentioning the decision of raising fuel prices, “The civil society organizations did not play any possible role. For instance, they did not convene meetings to involve the community and decision-makers or gather decision-makers with activists who engaged in protests.”
A group of civil society activists protested for over ten days against the decision to raise fuel prices. However, despite the ongoing protests, the organizations did not issue a statement supporting the legitimate demand or provide recommendations to decision-makers regarding decision-making mechanisms. Musa emphasized the significance of involving the civil society and individuals engaged in public affairs in sensitive decisions that have an impact on the community.
Musa also mentioned that the civil society could have played a positive role by actively participating in decision-making and exerting pressure on the AANES. This involvement could have been achieved through the diverse tools at their disposal.
He further noted that such efforts were seen in the past during the formulation of the Social Contract.
The AANES defines the Social Contract, which acts as North and East Syria’s constitution, as a set of theoretical and practical foundations, laws, and organizational rules which are established to determine the relationship between the administration and the people, and to clarify the rights and duties of individuals and officials within society.
On July 15, 2021, a mini-committee of 30 members was formed to prepare a draft for the Social Contract to regulate the political, economic and social work of the AANES.
The civil activist stated that there is a tendency for many organizations to distance themselves from the legislative and administrative aspects of the AANES. However, there is a noticeable inclination for organizations to align themselves with the AANES on service-related matters.