SYRIA to vote for new constitution on Feb. 26

What will the new constitution include?

Syrian state television said the new constitution would allow the “people to govern the people” under a new multi-party democratic system.

It said that under the proposed text, freedom is “a sacred right” and that any violation of personal freedom is considered a crime punishable by law.

english.alarabiya.net...

What else should we know about this new constitution being voted on?

Syrian state television said on Wednesday that parliamentary elections will be held 90 days after the referendum as part of promised political reforms ostensibly aimed at placating protesters. The new constitution will allow for a multi-party system, ending the Baath Party's near 50-year monopoly on Syrian politics. The proposed constitution, which will be put to a vote on February 26, does away with Article 8 of the old charter which declared the Baath Party, in power since 1963, as the "leader of the state and society." The draft constitution says any new parties cannot be based on a religion, profession, or regional interests. This clause would prevent the establishment of Islamist parties such as the Muslim Brotherhood, a major opposition actor in the current crisis.

What does the Syrian Expatriates Organization (SEO) have to say about it?

Dr Mazen Hassan, SEO founder said," The proposed amendments in the Syrian constitution have been sought by Syrian opposition activists long before the uprising began in mid-March 2011. For instance, past attempts to introduce a multiparty system and challenge the longstanding Baath political party's rule have been met with repeated rejection throughout the years.

Further concern is caused by the proposed Article 85, which sets the presidential tenure at seven years, yet is seemingly renewable without limitation. In addition, Article 91 gives the president immunity before a court of law."

Dr. Mazen Hassan, SEO founder, furthermore stated, "We reject Assad's call for a national referendum on the draft constitution; we think this step is just a desperate attempt by the regime to regain its lost legitimacy. Our demand is for Assad to step down, which directly discredits him from constitutional changes and any other reforms."

www.sfgate.com.../g/a/2012/02/16/prweb9202575.DTL

Is this real change and reform?

Beirut-based historian and political analyst, Fawwaz Traboulsi, says the new constitution means little as it does not limit presidential powers, and gives Syrian President Bashar Assad the option to remain in power for another 16 years. "Nothing has changed, this is a presidential semi-dictatorial system consecrated in the constitution; unlimited power to the president of the republic. In that sense, there is no real reform," he said. Traboulsi dismissed the significance of removing Article 8, as it was not the source of "unlimited executive dictatorial power." Without a significant increase in parliamentary power, the mechanics of a dictatorship would remain, he added. "Nothing has seriously changed, meaning the key shift to a parliamentary regime, if the president is the one who still appoints the cabinet and can dismiss the cabinet individually and collectively," Traboulsi said.

english.al-akhbar.com...

Will we see the opposition boycott the referendum? Will we see an increase in violence from Syria?

Looking forward to watching what kind of an impact this might have on the situation, if any.

So should the protesters put down their weapons (I still find it hard to understand how armed protestors are not insurgents) and get out of the towns they hold so that they are still alive so they can vote this constitution in and get the democracy they seem to be fighting for.

Or, is the west being missled by intelligent men who want to use politics to cover a religous dispute.
It is really a Sunni Shiite thing isn't it?
I would really like a massive "hell no" of replys to that statement...but I wonder?

reply to post by Deetermined

Dr. Mazen Hassan, SEO founder, furthermore stated, "We reject Assad's call for a national referendum on the draft constitution; we think this step is just a desperate attempt by the regime to regain its lost legitimacy. Our demand is for Assad to step down, which directly discredits him from constitutional changes and any other reforms."

Ok Dr. Mazen Hassan if you don't want Assad who do you want to Run Over Syria? Sen John McCain?
i mean seriously what is up with these western paid opposition parties? and leaders? just who do they want to run there country? the Muslim Brotherhood? or better yet a western puppet?

Originally posted by Xcouncil=wisdom
So should the protesters put down their weapons (I still find it hard to understand how armed protestors are not insurgents) and get out of the towns they hold so that they are still alive so they can vote this constitution in and get the democracy they seem to be fighting for.

Or, is the west being missled by intelligent men who want to use politics to cover a religous dispute.
It is really a Sunni Shiite thing isn't it?
I would really like a massive "hell no" of replys to that statement...but I wonder?

edit on 17-2-2012 by

edit on 17-2-2012 by Xcouncil=wisdom because: (no reason given)

Yes, it really is just another battle between Sunnis and Shiites with a tyrannical ruler.

Syria is 2/3 Sunni and is run by a Shia government.

As stated in my original post, it looks like the citizens of Syria had asked for reform and changes to the constitution years before the violence started breaking out in March 2011, to no avail. They felt that pushing Assad out was the only way, since he never listened to them before.

Notice how the government started cracking down the day after the visit from Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. I have no doubt that he didn't go over there to tell Assad to seek peace, but to step up his campaign of violence to end it as soon as possible. That's when all of the Sunni terrorists started showing up out of the woodwork to join in. Russia has too much invested in Syria and Iran to allow a bunch of Sunnis (and especially the terrorists) to take over the entire region.
extra DIV