The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) is extremely disturbed by the measures to which Syrian civil society and human rights groups are subject to. They are facing what resembles a liquidation campaign by the Syrian authorities against civil society work, carried out in the work climate embodied in the continuing state of emergency in force since 8th March 1963.
ACIJLP fears that decree N/K/168 issued by the Syrian social affairs and labour ministry dissolving the Damascus based Association for the Social Initiative (which is concerned with women’s issues) on the pretext of public interest concerns, represents the Syrian authorities’ vision of civil society organisations. According to this vision civil society organisations are a threat to the public good, since the decree has no justification either in the Constitution or Syrian Associations Law 39 (1958). This indicates the desire of the Syrian authorities to oppress civil society organisations.
ACIJLP points out that the social affairs and labour ministry’s decree is in violation of Syria’s international commitments and obligations, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Syria on 21st April 1969 and which entered into force on 23rd March 1976. Article 22 of the Covenant states:
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those which are prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on members of the armed forces and of the police in their exercise of this right.
ACIJLP urges the Syrian authorities concerned to guarantee the exercise of the right to form associations by withdrawing the decree passed by the social affairs and labour ministry ordering the dissolution of the Association for the Social Initiative.
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Nasser Amin
General Director
The Arab Center for Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP)
8/10 Mathaf El Manial St., Manial El Roda,
Cairo, Egypt
Telefax: (202) 5310027 - 3620732
Mobile: (2)0123112420
E-mail: acijlp@thewayout.net
Website: www.acijlp.org