Sharaa signs Syria’s new constitutional declaration

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration on March 13th, marking the start of Syria’s five-year transitional period. According to the New Arab, he outlined key rights, including freedom of expression and women’s rights.

The move follows the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government by Islamist-led rebels three months ago.

Sharaa described the declaration as the beginning of “a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice… and suffering with mercy.” Authorities had previously abolished the Assad-era constitution and dissolved parliament.

Islamic jurisprudence remains “the main source” of legislation, and the president must be a Muslim. This has resulted in opposition from the Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria for not accurately representing the Syrian people.

The New Arab.