Democracy News
Syrian President Offers Concessions; Anti-government Protests Continue
April 19, 2011
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly
Following a month and a half of ongoing protests in Syria, on April 16, President Bashar al-Assad announced unprecedented concessions during a televised nationwide address. The New York Times reported that Assad – who inherited the country from his father in 2000 – pledged to lift a 48-year-old emergency law that has been used by security forces to arrest and detain anti-government protesters. In addition to announcing plans to lift the emergency law, Assad also promised to address the country’s unemployment problem and review legislation that would legalize political parties. Currently, public gatherings of more than five people are illegal and political parties are banned. Prior to offering the concessions, Assad reshuffled his cabinet and ordered the release of protesters that had been detained during the recent wave of demonstrations in order to diffuse anti-government criticism.
Despite Assad’s pledge, government critics maintain that the new concessions would not be enough to quell the massive anti-government demonstrations. The day after the speech, on April 17, thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout the country to call for the “downfall of the regime.” The Washington Post reported that at least 13 more people died during the post-address demonstrations after security forces fired into crowds of demonstrators. According to human rights groups, over 200 people have died as a result of fighting during anti-government demonstrations.
The New York Times subsequently reported that Assad’s promise to lift the emergency law did little to calm anti-government sentiments, as protesters and security forces clashed again during the early morning hours of April 18. In a statement broadcasted on Syrian state television, the country’s Interior Ministry urged citizens “to refrain from any mass rallies or demonstrations or sit-ins,” and warned that security forces would not hesitate to “neutralize” anyone who threatened the country’s stability.
On April 19, Al Jazeera reported that the Syrian government had approved a bill to lift the country’s emergency law. In addition to the law, it was also reported that the government abolished the state security court and approved a law to allow for peaceful protests. However, the state news agency later reported that the Interior Ministry passed a new law that would require all potential demonstrators to obtain permission to gather.
For previous news on Syria, please see:
Syrian Government Detains Democracy Activist Indefinitely
Sources:
New York Times - Syrian Leader Says He Will Lift Emergency Law
Al Jazeera - Syria 'lifts emergency law'
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