BICOM

The Assad regime in Syria is to adopt a draft law permitting the formation of political parties other than the ruling Ba’ath party, according to an announcement made on the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) yesterday. Other parties have been banned in Syria since the Ba’ath seizure of power in 1963. Membership of the Muslim Brotherhood carries the death penalty in the country. The new law, according to SANA, is intended to be ‘part of a programme of reform aimed at enriching the political life, creating a new dynamic and allowing for a change in political power.’ It comes in the wake of an on going uprising against the dictatorial rule of President Bashar Assad, which has now resulted in around 1600 deaths. So far, protests have taken place mainly on Fridays, following the afternoon congregational prayers. However, with the month of Ramadan soon to start, the regime faces the prospect of on-going mass demonstrations.

Activists are reportedly sceptical regarding the prospect of reforms. They note that the ‘leading role’ of the Ba’ath party, as enshrined in article 8 of the Syrian constitution, does not appear to be up for reform. In addition, it is not clear what the purpose of newly founded political parties would be. Thus, many protesters have dismissed the proposals as an attempt by the regime to buy time.