Syrian President Ahmed Sara signed the declaration that determines the basic provisions of the temporary constitution.

A committee of Syrian lawyers, political scientists, professors, and journalists completed their work and presented the temporary constitution declaration to Sara.

During a ceremony at the People’s Palace in Damascus, members of the committee that prepared the temporary constitution were joined by members of the National Dialogue Conference, the President of the Syrian Scholars Association Usama Rifai, and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hasan Shibani. Sara accepted the temporary constitution declaration and thanked the committee.

The highlighted articles of the declaration included: Article 1: The Syrian Arab Republic is a fully independent and sovereign state. Its geographical and political unity is indivisible and its parts cannot be relinquished. Article 2: The religion of the President is Islam, and Islamic law is the primary source of laws. Freedom of belief is guaranteed. The state respects all revealed religions and ensures freedom of worship. However, this freedom should not violate public order. Article 6: All citizens have equal rights and obligations under the law. Discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or origin is prohibited. Article 7: The personal statuses of religious communities are protected and implemented according to their beliefs and laws. They are regulated within the existing laws. Article 8: The state regulates the national economy based on social justice, free competition, and prevention of monopolies. It supports production sectors, encourages investment, and strengthens sustainable development by protecting investors. Article 13: The state guarantees freedom of expression, thought, press, publication, and media. These rights are regulated by law to preserve public order and respect the rights of others.

Article 14: The state recognizes the right to political participation and the freedom to establish political parties based on national principles. A commission will be formed to prepare a party law, and party activities will be suspended until this law is enacted. Article 15: The state commits to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international agreements and humanitarian norms. Article 16: The state protects the family as the foundation of society and pledges to support motherhood and childhood. Article 17: The state commits to preserving the social status of women and their active role, as well as protecting them against all forms of violence and discrimination. Article 18: The state pledges to protect children from abuse and mistreatment, ensure their access to education and health services. Article 20: The People’s Assembly will be appointed by the President and will perform legislative duties until a permanent constitution is adopted and new parliamentary elections are held. Article 27: The President is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the highest authority responsible for the country’s governance. Article 35: The judiciary is independent, and judges are bound only by the law and their conscience. Article 36: No crime or punishment can be enforced without a legal regulation. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Extraordinary courts cannot be established.