In a New Study, Maat Sheds Light on the Role of the Arab League in Warding Off Armed Conflicts, “Syria as a Model.”
Okeil: Syria's absence from the Arab League reduced its chances of reaching a settlement of the Syrian conflict
Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights has issued a new study entitled "The Role of the Arab League in Warding off Armed Conflicts and Establishing Peace...Syria as a Model", in which it addressed, in part one, the role played by the League of Arab States in resolving Arab conflicts, and highlighted, in part two, the repercussions of Arab armed conflicts on human rights, both with regard to indiscriminate killing, internal displacement as well as torture practices.
The third part of the study focused on Syria as a case model for the Arab League’s involvement in conflict resolution. The study found that Syria’s return to the League of Arab States may stabilize the Arab region, and reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement would spare civilians the atrocities of war and minimize human rights violations they are exposed to it in times of conflict and chaos. The return of Syria to the League of Arab States could contribute to the return of the families of fighters and their children to their countries, and the possibility of reaching a comprehensive ceasefire throughout the Syrian territory, in addition to reducing the activity of terrorist groups, as well as participating in projects to re-establish reconstruction and work to end the policy of Turkification and demographic change in northern Syria.
In part four, the study discussed the challenges facing the Arab League in warding off conflicts, including the stagnation of the Arab League Charter and the need to amend it, the absence of a joint Arab force, the lack of financial resources, and the diminished interaction of the League with civil society organizations.
Eventually, the study presented a set of recommendations, including convening a special session as soon as possible under Article 5 of the rules of procedure of the Council of the League of Arab States announcing the return of Syria to the League of Arab States in a way that contributes to achieving peace and stability in the Arab region, the Arab League adoption of projects to combat poverty, and the implementation of some projects that are not affected by political conditions, such as electrical linkage and energy projects among others in a way that enhances the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the adoption of a participatory approach between the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League and civil society organizations and diplomatic missions of member states regarding the development of the League's work mechanisms and proposals for reform.
In this context, Ayman Okeil, the international human rights activist and president of Maat, said that Syria’s absence from the League of Arab States since its suspension on November 12, 2011, and the imposition of political and economic sanctions on it, have affected, even slightly, any path that would resolve the Syrian conflict, or even put an end to the continuation of the fighting. Okeil added that excluding Syria from the League has weakened all opportunities for direct dialogue between member states and Syria in light of the exacerbation of regional and international interventions after the outbreak of the conflict and the arming of the opposition, which created a state of chaos, perpetuated internal fighting between the Syrian army and armed factions backed by foreign parties, and led to the absence of stability and the imposition of countless obstacles on the way to access a consensual political solution that puts an end to the conflict situation.
Okeil explained that Syria's return to the League of Arab States may contribute to reducing this gap, and motivate for a real dialogue between the Syrian government and the active member states of the Arab League, in a way that achieves stability and contributes to establishing peace in the Syrian territories, which may reduce the violations that civilians are exposed to and obliges all parties to respect international human rights law. Accordingly, the Secretary-General or even any of the member states of the League of Arab States must call for convening a special summit under Article 5 of the rules of procedure of the Council of the League of Arab States to discuss the return of Syria to the League of Arab States, especially since the Algeria summit will not be held until early November 2022.
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