Syria
People walk next to election campaign billboards depicting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on May 23, 2021. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which administers the Kurdish enclave of northern Syria (Rojava), announced in a statement on Monday its opposition to the upcoming presidential election in Syria, set to be held on Wednesday.
The SDC said they have repeatedly announced they will not involve themselves with elections that “do not achieve the goals of Syrians” and “will not be a facilitator of any electoral procedure that violates the spirit” of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The SDC said they “sought to negotiate with authorities in Damascus” but were unsuccessful, accusing the Syrian regime of blocking a consensus and the continuation of meetings. The council said the regime aimed to “impose its vision without regard for human rights.”
“The extremists of the regime and the opposition are responsible for all crimes against the Syrian people,” the SDC statement said.
The council accused the “extremists” of obstructing negotiations for a political resolution in accordance with Resolution 2254, to form a transitional governing body, a safe environment and a new constitution.
Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, seeks a ceasefire and political settlement to the civil war in Syria between the government and opposition movements.
The Kurdish National Council (ENKS), a Kurdish opposition umbrella group in Rojava, also criticized the upcoming elections in a statement published earlier in May.
“The dictatorial regime in Damascus is preparing for the presidential elections in the absence of a safe and natural environment,” the statement read, calling for the international community to stand by Syrians.
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and displaced half the population.
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled the country for 21 years, is widely expected to be sure to secure his fourth term as president.
Western countries opposed to Assad have criticized the vote, saying it is neither free nor fair. The two other candidates in the upcoming poll are members of the “tolerated opposition,” which exiled leaders call an extension of the regime.
The SDC said they have repeatedly announced they will not involve themselves with elections that “do not achieve the goals of Syrians” and “will not be a facilitator of any electoral procedure that violates the spirit” of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The SDC said they “sought to negotiate with authorities in Damascus” but were unsuccessful, accusing the Syrian regime of blocking a consensus and the continuation of meetings. The council said the regime aimed to “impose its vision without regard for human rights.”
“The extremists of the regime and the opposition are responsible for all crimes against the Syrian people,” the SDC statement said.
The council accused the “extremists” of obstructing negotiations for a political resolution in accordance with Resolution 2254, to form a transitional governing body, a safe environment and a new constitution.
Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, seeks a ceasefire and political settlement to the civil war in Syria between the government and opposition movements.
The Kurdish National Council (ENKS), a Kurdish opposition umbrella group in Rojava, also criticized the upcoming elections in a statement published earlier in May.
“The dictatorial regime in Damascus is preparing for the presidential elections in the absence of a safe and natural environment,” the statement read, calling for the international community to stand by Syrians.
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and displaced half the population.
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled the country for 21 years, is widely expected to be sure to secure his fourth term as president.
Western countries opposed to Assad have criticized the vote, saying it is neither free nor fair. The two other candidates in the upcoming poll are members of the “tolerated opposition,” which exiled leaders call an extension of the regime.
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