Syria obtains temporary constitution for the five -year transition

The interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has signed a constitutional statement that covers a five-year transition period, three months after his Islamist group led the rebel offensive that defeated Bashar Al-Assad.

The document says that Islam is the president’s religion, as the previous Constitution did, and Islamic jurisprudence is “the main source of legislation”, instead of “a main source”, according to the Drafting Committee.

It also consecrates the separation of powers and judicial independence, and guarantees the rights of women, freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

“We hope it is a new story for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice,” Sharaa said.

The UN special envoy, Geir Pedersen, said he welcomed the “advances towards the restoration of the rule of law” and pointed out that “this development potentially fills an important legal vacuum.”

But the administration led by Kurdas in the Northeast of Syria criticized the constitutional declaration, saying that “contradicts the reality of Syria and its diversity.”

In January, the rebel military commanders appointed the president of the Sharaa for the transition period, canceled the Constitution of Assad-were 2012 and dissolved the Parliament, the Army and the security agencies of the old regime.

Only 10 days ago, Sharaa announced the formation of the seven members committee to write the constitutional declaration, which would serve as “the legal framework that regulates the transition phase.”

A member of the Committee, Abdul Hamid Al-Awak, an expert in constitutional law that teaches at a Turkish university, a press conference said on Thursday that the statement was aimed at “creating a balance between a security society and rights and freedoms.”

He said he stipulated “absolute separation of powers”, pointing out Assad’s “invasion” over other government branches during its 24 -year rule.

The president would have executive authority during the transition period, he said, but would only have an “exceptional power”: the ability to declare an emergency.

A new popular assembly will have the entire responsibility of the legislation. Two thirds of its members will be appointed by a committee selected by the President and a third elected by the president himself.

A committee will also be formed to write a new permanent constitution.

Sharaa has promised an inclusive government that will direct the country until the new Constitution is finalized and free and fair elections are held.

However, it faces significant challenges after a devastating civil war that exploded when Assad ordered a brutal repression against prodemocratic protests 14 years ago.

Last week, armed men who support the Sunita Sunita de Sharaa government were accused of carrying out revenge murders against members of the Assad minority Alauito sect in the Western coastal region after a mortal ambush in a security patrol of armed men loyal to the old regime. A monitoring group has said that almost 1,500 civilians were killed.

Sharaa has promised to make the perpetrators accounts and ordered the formation of a committee aimed at preserving civil peace.

However, many alauitas and members of other religious and ethnic minorities distrust their intentions due to its past as the leader of the former Syrian subsidiary of Al-Qaeda.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, said Thursday that nothing could justify the murder of civilians and warned that the “most deserved more deserved future in Syria hangs on balance.”

“The caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to build a new Syria based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians. Now is the time of action,” he added.