Human Rights Watch calls on Syria to review its constitutional declaration.

Human Rights Watch has called on the Syrian authorities to reconsider the recent constitutional declaration to include "strong protections" ensuring judicial independence and enhancing legislative oversight, in order to help ensure respect for human rights and accountability for past violations. The organization stated that the Syrian constitutional declaration regarding the transitional phase, recently approved, concentrates power in the hands of the executive branch, threatening judicial independence. The declaration grants the president broad powers, including judicial and legislative appointments without any constraints or oversight, raising concerns about the rule of law and human rights protection unless decisive preventive measures are taken. Adam Coogle, Deputy Director for the Middle East at the organization, warned that this declaration poses a risk of strengthening executive control at the expense of fundamental freedoms at a critical juncture in Syria's future. Coogle pointed out that given the lack of oversight over the previous government's authority, establishing a system capable of holding all those responsible for violations and crimes accountable will be crucial for Syria in the upcoming phase.