Syria peace talks due to start this week in Geneva are based on the broad mandate of a UN resolution that asks the UN mediator to hold talks on a “political transition process,” an official involved in the talks said on Tuesday.
Last week the UN appeared to back away from using the phrase “political transition,” which is understood by the opposition to mean a removal of President Bashar Assad or at least an erosion of his powers.
Michael Contet, chief of staff of Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, told a regular UN briefing that de Mistura was putting the final touches to arrangements for the talks.
“The invitations as well as the substantive agenda for the negotiations are all based on the wide scope of Security Council resolutions, in particular (UN Security Council Resolution) 2254, which is our main guidance in this process.
“The second operative paragraph of 2254 requests the special envoy to convene formal negotiations on the political transition process.”
The talks would revolve around three sets of issues, which 2254 mandates de Mistura to mediate on the establishment of a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance; a process for drafting a new constitution; and free and fair elections under UN supervision.
Contet refused to take questions.
Meanwhile, some 40 human rights groups and other organizations say that the talks should prioritize five key human rights issues.
The groups said in a statement that achieving respect and promotion for human rights during any transition and post-conflict will require key legislative and constitutional amendments to enshrine rights protection in law.
Talks between the regime and the opposition are scheduled to begin Thursday in an attempt to end the country’s conflict, now in its sixth year.
The groups that include Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Physicians for Human Rights say the priorities are “to end unlawful attacks and to ensure aid access and safe passage for fleeing civilians, detainee rights, justice, and security sector reform.”

Source: Arab News