Advancing Communities with Integrity Driving

On Tuesday, Syria Observer, a program of the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), organized the third dialogue session of its kind following the assumption of office by the newly elected members of the Syrian People's Assembly.

The session brought together representatives of civil society organizations, legal experts, and activists to discuss legislative priorities for the coming phase, support the legislative reform process, and strengthen communication between the People's Assembly and society.

Participants discussed several priority legislative issues, including:

• Reviewing the law governing border-area property ownership in Afrin.
• Reviewing the regulations related to the so-called Orontes Basin procedures affecting agricultural lands near the region.
• Enacting legislation to curb the spread of weapons and place them under the exclusive authority of the state.
• Introducing laws to combat sectarian incitement and address the spread of misinformation.

The session also featured an open discussion on the most urgent legislative priorities that could pave the way for broader legal reforms and contribute to strengthening social stability.

On Wednesday, Syria Observer, a program of the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), organized the fourth dialogue session of its kind following the assumption of office by the newly elected members of the Syrian People's Assembly.

The session brought together representatives of the Aleppo Provincial Council, the Political Affairs Directorate, and the Social Affairs Directorate, along with a large number of representatives from civil society organizations, legal experts, and activists. The discussion aimed to identify legislative priorities for the coming phase, support the legislative reform process, and strengthen communication between the People's Assembly and society.

Participants discussed several priority legislative issues, including:

• Transitional justice legislation, political isolation measures, and mechanisms to support and provide redress for victims and their families.
• Economic recovery laws, the development of a legal framework to encourage investment, stimulate economic growth, and facilitate reconstruction.
• Legislation related to the reintegration of workers and the promotion of social justice.
• Laws protecting freedom of opinion and expression, as well as legislation regulating political party life.
• The urgent need to ensure meaningful civil society participation in the legislative process through engagement with the Assembly's specialized committees.

The session also featured an open discussion on the most pressing legislative priorities that could pave the way for broader legal reforms and contribute to strengthening social stability.

On Saturday, the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU) organized the first community dialogue session as part of the "Community Participation and Street Lighting in Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and Al-Shuyoukh" project, in partnership with the Rishad Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State.

The session was attended by Noureddine Al-Baba, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, the Head of the Public Relations Office of the Internal Security Command in Aleppo, the Public Security and Internal Security officials for the Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafieh neighborhoods, members of the Second Bloc of Aleppo Governorate, as well as community leaders, local representatives, and civil society actors.

The session opened with an introduction to the project, its objectives, and implementation phases, followed by an open dialogue with participants to discuss key issues affecting the local community. Discussions focused on promoting security and social peace, community safety priorities, security and economic challenges, and the role of community participation in supporting stability and strengthening trust between citizens and public institutions.

Participants also discussed the current state of street lighting in Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafieh and highlighted the project's importance in improving public safety, enhancing essential services, and responding to the needs of local residents. They emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and coordination between the community and relevant authorities to ensure sustainable impact.

This session is part of a series of community dialogue workshops that SSU will implement in Al-Shuyoukh, Afrin, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Al-Ashrafieh, with the aim of engaging local communities in identifying their priorities and strengthening community partnership.