Syria's Assad decrees multi-party system

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree authorising a multi-party political system in Syria, the official Sana news agency reported Thursday. The decree says the move will “allow for a change in political power”.

Reuters

The decree allows political parties to be established and to function alongside the Baath party, in power since 1963 with the constitutional status of "the leader of state and society".

The Syrian government adopted a draft law on multiple political organisations last month. Assad's decree means the law can take effect immediately without parliament's approval.

It is "aimed at enriching political life, creating a new dynamic and allowing for a change in political power", Sana said.

But parties representing sectoral interests will not be allowed.

The decree prohibits parties founded on the basis "of religion, tribal affiliation, regional interests; professional organisations as well as parties which discriminate on the basis of race, sex or colour," the report said.

Political pluralism has been one of the demands of demonstrations which have swept Syria since 15 March.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned the crackdown on the protests for the first time since they began but issued a statement, rather than a binding resolution.

It condemned "the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities" and called for “those responsible” to be held accountable.