In a virtual meeting on Friday, G7 leaders will talk about the significant changes taking place in Syria, where the interim government has promised to impose the “rule of law” following years of abuses under former President Bashar al-Assad.
After five decades of oppressive control by his clan came to an abrupt end due to a lightning offensive conducted by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, Assad fled Syria.
After surviving a period in which suspected dissidents were imprisoned or assassinated, as well as over 14 years of conflict that claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions more, Syrians both domestically and internationally burst into joy.
The United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA said Thursday that 1.1 million people, mostly women and children, had been displaced since the rebels launched their offensive on November 27.
The new government’s spokesman told AFP on Thursday that the country’s constitution and parliament would be suspended during a three-month transition.
“A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments,” Obaida Arnaout said.
Speaking at the state television headquarters, seized by the new rebel authorities, Arnaout said they would institute the “rule of law”.
“All those who committed crimes against the Syrian people will be judged in accordance with the law,” he added.
“We respect religious and cultural diversity in Syria” was Arnaout’s response when asked about personal freedoms and religion.
While visiting Turkey, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Syrian actors to take “all feasible steps to protect civilians, including members of minority groups,” according to Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department.
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