The Role of Parliamentary Committees in Monitoring the Work of the Executive Power an Analytical Study in Light of the Provisions of the Bylaws of the Syrian People's Assembly 2017

Abstract

Parliamentary committees are the mainstay of legislative and oversight work in all parliaments of the world. It plays a key role in fulfilling many of the competencies of the world's parliaments. Parliamentary committees derive their importance from the premise that there is no work that falls within the competence of the Parliament’s work but that it has a share of quiet research, deep and careful study, and serious objective discussion within these committees. Thus, the parliamentary committees are the most important parliamentary bodies with regard to the functioning of the Council and its performance of its functions. Referring to the texts of the Syrian constitution of 2012, and the provisions of the Bylaws of the People’s Assembly of 2017, we find that some parliamentary committees, whether they are permanent or special temporary committees, exercise their role in monitoring the work of the executive authority, through several means, the most important of which are:  Gathering information and investigating facts about a general matter of special importance, or a specific topic related to any public body, and inviting the ministry to put forward a general topic for discussion in order to clarify the ministry’s policy on it and to exchange opinions about it. As well as directing interrogations to members of the Council of Ministers in matters that falls within their competence. Finally, reviewing the written petitions submitted by citizens to the Council and submitting their report to the Council.