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Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
Syria Referendum on New Constitution on Feb 26 | |
2012-02-16 | |
(Naharnet) - Syria's Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad Light of the Alawites... has decreed to hold a referendum for a new constitution on February 26, the official SANA state news agency reported on Wednesday.
Syrian state television ... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe? 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. On Sunday, a commission tasked with drawing up a new constitution submitted a draft charter to Assad, SANA reported, adding he would review it and send it to the People's Assembly before a vote. In January, Assad said a new constitution was being drawn up by a committee set up in October to replace the current one, which enshrines his Baath party's dominant role. At the time, he said it could be put to a popular vote as early as March, although that date for the ballot has now been brought forward. Syria's government lifted a state of emergency in April last year and in July adopted a law allowing a multi-party political system. | |
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