UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen at a news conference at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, August 21, 2020 (Reuters)
Talks on a new Constitutional Committee for Syria, stalled for more than 2 1/2 years, have delayed again because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
The first session in nine months in Geneva was postponed after four members of the regime delegation tested positive for COVID-19.
UN special Geir Pedersen, who has struggled amid the Assad regime’s reluctance to discuss political transition after 113 months of conflict, told the Security Council last Wednesday that there was “an opportunity to reconcile differences and establish a social contract with people across the country”.
See UN Envoy Talks —- Again — About “Constitutional Reform” in Syria
Russia proposed the process in January 2018, propping up the Assad regime and hoping to give up a veneer of legitimacy. However, discussions have progressed little beyond the establishment of a 150-member Constitutional Committee, with 50 each from the regime, selected opposition factions, and civil society groups. The regime has insisted that priority must be given to “sovereignty” and “terrorists” — its label for anti-Assad factions — rather than political reform.
Earlier on Monday, US envoy James Jeffrey said the regime had agreed “under some Russian pressure” to take part in the week-long talks.
Pedersen’s office did not say which three of the 45 members of the “small body” of the Constitutional Committee tested positive. One third is nominated by the Syrian government, one third by the opposition, and one third by civil society.
Committee members were tested before they travelled to Geneva, and they were tested again on arrival, and the wearing of masks and strict social distancing measures were in place when they met at the Palais des Nations.
Following a constructive first meeting, the Third Session of the Constitutional Committee is currently on hold. The Office of the Special Envoy will make a further announcement in due course.
The regime’s Health Ministry has acknowledged 2,293 Coronavirus cases and 92 deaths; however, medics, analysts, and residents believe the total is far higher.
A London School of Economics model has forecast 2 million infections across the country by the end of August, if the regime does not reimpose restrictions that were lifted in April.
Syria Coronavirus Forecast: 2 Million Cases By End of August
