Just a translation today: the charter of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), originally released on October 4th, 2014. Since then, the RCC re-released the charter with a new look, which is here. The charter is relatively uncontroversial and mostly reflects a vague lowest common denominator between the diverse set of groups that endorsed the RCC. The charter is noteworthy, however, in its definition of the scope of the RCC’s work, which goes beyond military unification, although that remains its chief concern.

Translation follows.

The Charter of the Syrian Revolutionary Command Council

In the name of God, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful:

Principles

1 – The regulations, rules, bylaws, and determinants [of the scope] of the Revolutionary Command Council’s work are derived from the rulings of the true Islamic religion.

2: Organized shura (consultation) is the basis of the enterprise. It is binding in all proceedings.

3: Toppling the regime and building a functional participatory state among the sons of the revolutionary Syrian people, who are the basis of the revolutionary and its point of departure.

4: The independence of Syrian decision-making and the rejection of foreign dictation.

5: Our revolution is a revolution of values that strives toward a civilized life for [Syria’s] diverse social fabric, in which all of its components enjoy freedom and justice. Just as they have rights, so too do they have obligations.

6: The preservation of public and private property and its restoration.

7: Anchoring shared values around which there is a national consensus, under which all remnants of the corrupt regime are ended.

Vision

To topple the criminal Syrian regime in all of its symbols and its pillars of support by uniting sincere forces in the revolution, working in complete coordination and discipline, and administering the transitional period until representatives of the people come to power in the state in a way that accords with the goals of the revolution. The foundation of all of this shall be the rule of law and just rule.

Mission Statement

1: To repel all forms of terrorism the regime uses against our people and all mistaken practices that harm the revolution and the people, including the phenomenon of unjust excommunication (takfir, or branding others as apostates).

2: To marshal and mobilize popular support (al-hadina al-sha’biyya) to pursue the revolution by the example of sacrifice, justice, brotherhood, and inclusively sharing burdens.

3: To guarantee the unity of the land and people of Syria and to reject partition plans and anything that paves the way for them.

4: The Council strives to administer the liberated territories in a way that serves the interests of the citizens.

5: To establish an independent judiciary.

6: To preserve Syrian society’s Islamic identity.

7: To work towards relieving hardship for our people inside [Syria] and abroad.

Mechanisms

1: The inseparability and interdependence the three tracks (political, military, and civil).

2: To work toward strengthening regional and international ties in a way that serves the revolution without abandoning its fixed and invariable foundations.

3: To seek the help of social elites who are prepared to sacrifice and who are able to lead society in all fields.

4: To establish judicial institutions in the liberated territories with the participation of the various judicial bodies.

5: To establish a central commission for oversight and inspection.

6: To establish a central force from [among] the revolutionary factions to protect the people and to achieve the goals of the revolution that is under the authority of the Revolutionary Command Council.

7: All of the country’s public resources are the property of the Syrian people. The Revolutionary Command Council is charged with administering them until they are delivered to a legitimate government.

8: To define the mission and necessary authorities for every institution that is part of the Council.

9: To restructure the institutions of the revolution in a way that comports with the goals of the Revolutionary Command Council.

10: To consider Revolutionary Command Council an organizing condition to limit the chaos of new military formations.

11: The Preparatory Committee recommends that the Revolutionary Command Council adopt the independence flag.

12: The Revolutionary Command Council is charged with issuing all measures and promulgating laws that will organize the administration of the liberated territories.

Praise be to God, Lord of worlds.

The Wa’tasimu Initiative

The Syrian Revolutionary Command Council

Announced 10 Dhu al-Hijja 1435 h/4 October 2014