The statement reads: "The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) expresses its grave  concern regarding the formation of the preparatory committee for the  Syrian National Dialogue Conference. The SDC notes that this committee’s  composition reflects a single political spectrum and orientation. This  composition fundamentally undermines the crucial principle of fair and  comprehensive representation. Such representation, the SDC believes,  must include all components of the Syrian people.

 

This constituted committee does not represent the Syrian  people in all their diversity and variety. There is a clear exclusion of  political, societal, and national powers, which constitute a large and  significant proportion of the Syrian society’s structure. The SDC  believes that this exclusion is a flagrant violation of the principle of  national partnership, a cornerstone of any legitimate political  process.

 

The SDC further emphasizes that the deliberate neglect and  intentional absence of key national political powers does not reflect a  genuine intention to involve all Syrians in shaping the future of Syria.  These powers have opposed the Assad regime for years. They have endured  significant hardship, including killing, arrest, and displacement. This  exclusion, the SDC believes, effectively replicates the policies of  marginalization that characterized the Assad regime. Such actions create  a significant obstacle to the establishment of a truly democratic  state.

 

At the preparatory committee’s press conference, the  spokesperson made remarks that revealed the appropriation of the Syrian  people’s right to decide their country’s future, including its  governance and representation. The SDC stresses that differing opinions  are a fundamental pillar of the success of any dialogue. The committee  should not presuppose the outcomes and objectives of the dialogue. It  does not have the right to accuse any Syrian party of accusations that  are not befitting of a dialogue advocate, nor are they consistent with  the facts on the ground.

 

The SDC affirms its commitment to working with all Syrian  political and societal powers, and with all segments of Syrian society,  as genuine and active partners in building the future of Syria. It  underscores the participation of all Syrian groups in all stages,  phases, and requirements of the transitional process. It urgently calls  for a reconsideration of the formation of the preparatory committee in a  way that serves the National Dialogue Conference. This committee should  be inclusive of all Syrian components and in line with the priorities  of the transitional phase. Additionally, the committee should lay the  foundation for a genuine national dialogue that contributes to building a  democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that guarantees the  rights of all its citizens."