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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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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 byedit 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.edit on 18-2-2012 by Deetermined because: (no reason given)extra DIV
Originally posted by mkgandhas
reply to post by Deetermined
If things get too bad,Russia can test its biological weapons against the GCC.It will be good riddance from Wahabbi Vermin.If NATO dares to attack Russia then Russia can nuke and use bioweapons and its secret black budget weapons like torsion/scalar,red mercury, underground cities and massive civil defence.It will be good riddance from the anglo-saxon vermin also.
any new parties cannot be based on a religion, profession, or regional interests.
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."
The new constitution that could keep Mr Assad in power until 2028 was condemned by world leaders as a "sham".
"The referendum in Syria is nothing more than a farce," said Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister.
"Sham votes cannot be a contribution to a resolution of the crisis. Assad must finally end the violence and clear the way for a political transition."
Turnout in the referendum was 57.4 percent, state television said.