Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Sunday establishing a seven-member committee tasked with drafting a “constitutional declaration” to regulate the country’s transitional phase. However, the move has drawn criticism for once again excluding Kurdish political parties from the process.

The committee, composed of seven “experts,” has been directed to draft a constitutional framework for Syria’s transitional period and submit their proposal to the interim president. This development follows the toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8 by a coalition of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is headed by Sharaa. In late January, the new Syrian leadership disbanded the army, dissolved parliament, and annulled the constitution.

While the ethnic background of the committee members remains unclear, reports suggest that Bahia al-Mardini, one of the members, is Kurdish. However, she is not affiliated with any of the Kurdish political parties active in Syria, raising concerns about the exclusion of Kurdish voices in the constitutional process.

Salih Darwesh, secretary of the Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party in Syria, expressed frustration over the move, stating, “This is not the first time Ahmed al-Sharaa has sidelined us.” His remarks underscore the ongoing marginalization of Kurdish political groups in shaping Syria’s future.

Sharaa’s decree aligns with the recommendations of the National Dialogue Conference held in Damascus last Tuesday. The conference, attended by hundreds of Syrians, was touted as a step toward “free and fair elections” and constitutional reform. While it was praised for addressing issues such as freedom of expression, human rights, and Syria’s unity and sovereignty, it faced criticism for being “exclusionary” and “rushed.”

In the aftermath of the conference, 35 political parties in northeast Syria (Rojava) dismissed its outcomes as “meaningless,” citing a lack of inclusivity. The Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) and the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (DAANES) also condemned the event for excluding Kurdish representation and marginalizing key communities.

In the weeks leading up to the conference, Kurdish opposition parties had already criticized a preparatory committee established by Sharaa, accusing it of sidelining Kurdish voices in the foundational steps toward shaping Syria’s future. The latest decree has further fueled concerns that the transitional process may fail to address the aspirations of Syria’s diverse population, particularly its Kurdish minority.

As Syria navigates its transitional phase, the exclusion of Kurdish parties from critical decision-making processes risks deepening divisions and undermining efforts to achieve a inclusive and lasting political resolution.