Syria

Abd al-Hamid al-Awak.. Academic and Human Rights Activist Leads Syria's New Parliament (Profile)

Al-Awak's name emerged pivotally after the recent political shift as he was selected as chairman and spokesman of the 'Committee for Drafting the Interim Constitutional Declaration'..

Laith Al-jnaidi

12 July 2026 • Updated: 12 July 2026

SURIYE

Istanbul / Laith Al-jnaidi / Anadolu

Syria witnessed a major step in restructuring its legislative and constitutional framework, following the election of prominent academic and human rights lawyer Dr. Abd al-Hamid Aqeel al-Awak as Speaker of the first People's Assembly in the new political phase, after the ouster of the former regime.

Al-Awak secured the presidency with 99 votes out of 205 votes counted, during a competitive session, moving from the corridors of thought and law to the seat of direct responsibility.

In the vote, Muayyad al-Qablawi came second with 75 votes, followed by Muhammad Ramaz Kourj with 31 votes, while one blank ballot was voided, according to Anadolu correspondent.

** Upbringing and Educational Path

Abd al-Hamid al-Awak hails from the 'Ghuwayran' neighborhood in Hasaka Governorate, northeastern Syria, where he received his primary and secondary education.

He then moved to the University of Aleppo (north) and graduated from the Faculty of Law, beginning his professional career in legal and administrative work, which culminated in joining the judiciary.

** Emigration and Academic Activity

After leaving Syria, al-Awak settled in the Turkish city of Mardin, and has been working since 2016 as an academic professor in the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations at Mardin Artuklu University.

Al-Awak focused his academic interest on the Syrian constitutional space; he contributed to training members of the Constitutional Committee representing the opposition, and participated in drafting numerous political papers.

He also collaborated with the 'Stability Support Unit' (a civil society organization) in publishing works that surveyed local communities' vision regarding the features of the future social contract and Syrian constitution.

** Drafting the Constitution and Return to the Scene

Al-Awak's name emerged prominently in the capital Damascus after the recent political shift, as he was appointed chairman and spokesman of the 'Committee for Drafting the Interim Constitutional Declaration', a legal committee formed by the new Syrian authorities, with the aim of preparing an interim constitutional declaration to regulate the transitional period until a permanent constitution is adopted.

Through this position, he led the drafting of the governing principles for the transitional period, protecting public freedoms, and ensuring the separation of powers.

** Future Challenges

This election places al-Awak before a real test; as the Syrian street awaits the new presidency's ability to dismantle the previous legal legacy and activate parliamentary committees.

The parliament presidency also faces the challenge of leading discussions on the new constitution draft, and transitioning the legislative institution from decades of party monopoly to a space of political pluralism and the rule of law.

Earlier on Sunday, the first session of the new People's Assembly (parliament) convened in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The session began with the presence of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, and a number of ministers and officials, according to Anadolu correspondent.

The convening of the first session of the People's Assembly comes days after the completion of the appointment of the Assembly's members, following al-Shara's issuance of Decree No. 143 of 2026, containing the full list of members, including the appointed one-third complement.

The new assembly consists of 210 members; 140 of them were elected through electoral bodies in various Syrian governorates, while the President appointed 70 members forming the one-third complement, according to the provisions of the interim electoral system.

These political developments come as a major step in rebuilding state institutions, after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, which had ruled the country between 2000 and 2024.