Syria ends state of emergency
Source: Agencies |
April 22, 2011, Friday
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PRESIDENT Bashar al-Assad yesterday ended Syria's state of emergency, in effect for nearly 50 years, in a bid to defuse protests against his government that have gripped the country for over a month.
His announcement, ratifying a law passed by the government earlier this week, preceded what activists described as "Great Friday" protests in several Syrian cities when more people are expected to take to the streets after Muslim Friday prayers.
Thousands of Syrians, inspired by uprisings sweeping the Arab world, have demonstrated to demand greater freedom in their tightly controlled country, presenting Assad with the most alarming challenge to his 11-year rule.
State TV said Assad also endorsed legislation that regulates protests and dissolves a state security court which lawyers say violated the rule of law.
The demands of ordinary Syrians go beyond democratic freedoms to a better quality of life. Twelve percent of Syria's 20 million people live below the poverty line and the gap between rich and poor has widened in recent years.
Assad has tried to defuse popular hostility by reaching out to conservative Muslims and giving citizenship to many ethnic minority Kurds who complain of discrimination.
His announcement, ratifying a law passed by the government earlier this week, preceded what activists described as "Great Friday" protests in several Syrian cities when more people are expected to take to the streets after Muslim Friday prayers.
Thousands of Syrians, inspired by uprisings sweeping the Arab world, have demonstrated to demand greater freedom in their tightly controlled country, presenting Assad with the most alarming challenge to his 11-year rule.
State TV said Assad also endorsed legislation that regulates protests and dissolves a state security court which lawyers say violated the rule of law.
The demands of ordinary Syrians go beyond democratic freedoms to a better quality of life. Twelve percent of Syria's 20 million people live below the poverty line and the gap between rich and poor has widened in recent years.
Assad has tried to defuse popular hostility by reaching out to conservative Muslims and giving citizenship to many ethnic minority Kurds who complain of discrimination.
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