Syrian National Conference Condemns State Monopoly on Weapons, Demands Reform
The Syrian National Conference, a coalition of opposition parties and civil society organizations, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the state’s monopoly on weapons in Syria and demanding immediate reforms to promote transparency and accountability in the country’s defense sector.
The conference, which took place in Amman, Jordan, and was attended by representatives from across the spectrum, emphasized the need for reform in the face of ongoing human rights abuses, widespread corruption, and the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
In its statement, the conference criticized the government’s "exclusive control" over the weapons trade in Syria, pointing to the lack of transparency and accountability in the country’s arms industry. The conference stressed that this monopoly has enabled corruption, cronyism, and the misappropriation of funds, which has contributed to the suffering of the Syrian people.
The statement also highlighted the devastating impact of the state’s control over the arms trade on civilians, including the use of cluster bombs, incendiary bombs, and other weapons that have caused widespread human suffering and displacement.
"We, the Syrian people, demand that the state abandon its monopoly on the weapons trade and work towards establishing a transparent, accountable, and just system that prioritizes the needs of the people, rather than the interests of the ruling elite," the conference said.
The conference also called for the establishment of a new framework for regulating the arms trade, one that is based on international human rights law and the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The statement was supported by a range of opposition parties and civil society organizations, including the Syrian National Coalition, the National Council of Associations, and the Syrian Center for Documentation.
The Syrian government has long been accused of exploiting the war to amass wealth and power, and critics say that the state’s control over the weapons trade has played a significant role in perpetuating human rights abuses, corruption, and the suffering of civilians.
The conference’s call for reforms is seen as a significant step towards addressing these concerns and promoting a more just and equitable society in Syria. It is also seen as a key step towards rebuilding and consolidating democracy in the country, following years of conflict and instability.
"We stand together today to demand an end to the regime’s monopoly on the arms trade and to create a more just and equitable future for the people of Syria," said a spokesperson for the conference. "We will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights, and we will not stop until we achieve a Syria that is free from corruption, oppression, and violence."
