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Assaad Al Achi, Executive Director of Baytna, argues that more efforts must and can be made by the international community to protect human rights in Syria.

On April 20, 2021, Arab Center Washington DC (ACW) held a webinar titled “The Way Forward in Syria: The Political Process, Transitional Justice, and US Policy.” Panelists were Assaad Al Achi, a Syrian civil society activist and Executive Director of Baytna Syria; …

The nascent Syrian civil society movement remains the torchbearer of the original ideals of the uprising and the real anchor for peace, justice, and change., writes Assaad Al Achi.

Assaad al-Achi, the Executive Director of Baytna, moderated a discussion on the reconstruction process in Syria and business involvement in serious violations of international law in Syria, including displacement, violations of housing, land, and property rights, pillage, and the disproportionate destruction of civilian property.

Assad Al Achi, Executive Director of Baytna, explains how Syria’s military and political opposition was effectively co-opted by regional and international actors through growing reliance on their funding.

The EU’s official line continues to be that it will only provide reconstruction assistance to Syria once “a comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition is firmly under way”. The EU sees political conditionality and reconstruction as sources of leverage that it can use to effect political change. But is this position still tenable?

Beyond efforts to end the crisis itself, the international community should also acknowledge the invaluable role Syrian civil society can play in more immediate challenges — from resolving ethnic and political tensions in the northeast, to addressing thorny issues like internally displaced persons and refugee rights, gender representation, education, transitional justice, anti-corruption, and the impact of economic sanctions upon society.

The day after: a cautionary tale from the region.

Assaad Al Achi, Executive Director of Baytna, discusses where the foes of the Assad regime are today, and why Syrian NGOs are proliferating.