In a speech before the new government Saturday, April 16 broadcast by public television, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said the emergency law would be abolished at the latest within one week. The abolition of emergency law, in force since 1962 and which substantially reduces civil liberties, is one of the main demands of protesters who are calling for a liberalization of the regime.
"The Legal Committee on the Emergency Law has developed a series of proposals for new legislation. These proposals will be submitted to the government that will enact laws (...) in a week maximum, "said Assad. In late March, Mr. Assad was given until April 25 to a legal committee to draft new legislation.
The President also expressed his sadness at the death of dozens of people during demonstrations against the regime. Thousands of people participated Saturday in Banias in northwestern Syria, at the funeral of a man who died after being wounded on April 10 during a demonstration, witnesses and rights activists man.
The demonstrators chanted slogans for freedom, against the ruling Baath Party in Syria for nearly 50 years, and calling for the downfall of the regime. A man shot in the chest during clashes with militias loyal to President Alawite, was killed during this event, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Osama al-Chikha, 40, was wounded Sunday near the Mosque of Abu Bakr al-Sidiq. Seven cars had arrived at the mosque and its occupants opened fire, at the dawn prayer. Five people were injured, one witness stated, that the perpetrators of the shootings were "minions of the regime whose names are known".
Because of unrest in the country, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs now recommends on its website to defer nonessential travel to Syria. So far, this ministry is only recommended "to stay away from places of demonstration and not photograph them (or appear to do so) even with cell phones." Earlier, French tour operators (CETO) had announced the suspension until Saturday, April 30 departure to Syria in view of the extension of popular protest movement in the country. 
"The Legal Committee on the Emergency Law has developed a series of proposals for new legislation. These proposals will be submitted to the government that will enact laws (...) in a week maximum, "said Assad. In late March, Mr. Assad was given until April 25 to a legal committee to draft new legislation.
The President also expressed his sadness at the death of dozens of people during demonstrations against the regime. Thousands of people participated Saturday in Banias in northwestern Syria, at the funeral of a man who died after being wounded on April 10 during a demonstration, witnesses and rights activists man.
The demonstrators chanted slogans for freedom, against the ruling Baath Party in Syria for nearly 50 years, and calling for the downfall of the regime. A man shot in the chest during clashes with militias loyal to President Alawite, was killed during this event, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Osama al-Chikha, 40, was wounded Sunday near the Mosque of Abu Bakr al-Sidiq. Seven cars had arrived at the mosque and its occupants opened fire, at the dawn prayer. Five people were injured, one witness stated, that the perpetrators of the shootings were "minions of the regime whose names are known".
Because of unrest in the country, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs now recommends on its website to defer nonessential travel to Syria. So far, this ministry is only recommended "to stay away from places of demonstration and not photograph them (or appear to do so) even with cell phones." Earlier, French tour operators (CETO) had announced the suspension until Saturday, April 30 departure to Syria in view of the extension of popular protest movement in the country.
- Just In Time For The Revolution, Vogue Does Profile Of Syria's Sexy First Lady (25/02/2011)
- War Cycling Tour of Libya Suspended (17/03/2011)
- Assad Says State of Emergency Must Be Lifted by Next Week (17/04/2011)
- Hague welcomes Assad emergency vow (17/04/2011)
- EU condemns violence in Syria, urges reforms (11/04/2011)
No comments:
Post a Comment