DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday issued Decree No. 85 for 2012 stipulating for setting Sunday / 26/2/2012 / as a date for referendum on the draft Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic.
The following are some of the main issues included in the constitution's text:
- The Syrian Arab Republic is a democratic state of absolute sovereignty that cannot be divided and no part of its land can be abandoned. Syria is a part of the Arab world.
- The political system of the state is based on political pluralism and power is practiced democratically through voting.
- Licensed political parties and electoral assemblies contribute to the national political life and they should respect the principles of national sovereignty and democracy.
- Political movement, parties or political gatherings can be established on religious, sectarian, tribal, regional, factional or vocational basis or based on discrimination because of gender, origin, race or color.
- The Army and the Armed Forces is a national institution charged with defending the homeland's safety and regional sovereignty and serving the people's interests and protecting their goals and national security.
- Martyrdom for the sake of the homeland is a sublime value.
- Society in the Syrian Arab Republic is based on solidarity and respecting the principles of social justice, freedom and equality, in addition to preserving the humanitarian dignity of every individual.
- Freedom is a sacred right. The State guarantees the citizens' personal freedom and preserves their dignity and security.
- Citizens have equal rights and duties. Discrimination due to gender, origin, language, religion or belief is prohibited.
- The State guarantees the equality of opportunity principle among the citizens and every citizen has the right to contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life in accordance with the regulating law.
- Citizens should respect the constitution and the rules.
- Private life is respected and protected by the law.
- Freedom of belief is secured by the law.
-Every citizen has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
- The State guarantees the freedom of press, publishing, printing and media according to the law.
- Citizens have the right to gather, to peacefully protest and to go on a strike in the framework of the constitution and the law regulates the practicing of these rights.
- Any transgression against personal freedom or private life or any other rights or public freedoms guaranteed by the constitution is a crime punishable by the law.
- Obligatory military service is sacred duty and regulated by law.
- Defending the safety of the homeland and maintaining the State's secrets are the duty of every citizen.
- The State guarantees preserving the national unity and the citizens have to preserve it.
- Election and referendum are citizens' right and duty.
- The rule of the law is the basis of power in the State.
- The period of term of the People's Assembly is four years starting of the date of the first meeting. It can't be extended except by a law in case of a war.
- The President and the Cabinet practice the executive authority on behalf of the people.
- A presidential candidate should be over forty years old and a continuous permanent resident of Syria for no less than 10 years upon applying for candidacy.
- Candidacy application is to be submitted to the Higher Constitutional Court and can only be accepted if the candidate has the support in a written form of at least 35 members of the People's Assembly.
- If required conditions for candidacy are available in only one candidate during the 60-90 day period set for candidacy before the end of the current president's term, Speaker of the People's Assembly calls for reopening the door for candidacy.
- The president is to be elected directly by the people.
- The elected president is the one who gets the absolute majority of votes. If no majority gained, there will be re-election within two weeks between the two candidates with the highest number of votes gained in the first election.
- The electoral results are to be announced by the People's Assembly Speaker.
- In case the current president's term ends before a new president is elected, the current president continues practicing his tasks until a new president is elected.
- The presidential term is set at 7 years starting with the end of the current president's term. The president can be re-elected for one more term only.
- The president is the commander in chief of the Army and the Armed Forces.
- The judicial authority is independent and the Higher Judicial Council guarantees the independence of the judiciary.
http://sana.sy/eng/361/2012/02/15/400646.htm