’WPC§ )Īēé`Ņ–Ū›¢Į”Ü“QśEyŁŃŖp4E2Ay:źēłj):KU¶±“‹©”² ¢įgYÖ7é.óø ßĘ0čż5Ą’¤ßź¹ˆ'#šD«ap°…dŠć8/Ņ5$ ³wf¢XzYÉC9Fצ¬z•łt<„ųj¹»Øi–<¬)·Ln–IŽ¢†Åxؤ`ž¼6ŲaĀtźc^!Ķ苤št›¬ųöŠ^…‘&½ ƒ–“°Y§¤”ŗ­ē]hĒ%gā“QPד ź>D‘]®ˆz”ąNŚcņČh-(ĖsóŻ˜E×Q7Ął9ŪźŽ#mĀ¹knP żį嵄(§ē^ōń˜åLIqäłś‰ėŌ Ź 1cKQ÷”˜SČ=r‘ł£ˆŸ?„ .…#Ķš•īųēBüM’ī驉@ąo!5ŁöĄĢÅš~…Ŗŗ½Ń[¦l<¬ŒĪŗƶ e,LĶŽeģ=īZ/ŅWGQ‡ŪćōåSų½PŶ›ķ ĪĪņ’[±CYŚ†nė`–1Ls+[séŅp@³•ńußHųlć0]X‰ŸĀ ūšrį,XØ~qT~z…›ą!śŠIų‰ų XD ·B©švfĘ¾OAü„“«Øčx5’ŽK ;ƒ=€#ĮÄUN… %Ó 0:Ł^ w'4+?N mPNgU>i˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSČŁŲŁŁŲČŁ0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ūœ$””ŌUKUS.,Ō  ©n, —{m,œ2Ÿ1Ąžœ3|x’U‹’ĄĄĄō\  `‹&Times New RomanŻ ƒūœ!ŻŌUKUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌÓ  Óņ ņŌ‡¼q`»XXŌSYRIAN€ARAB€REPUBLICó óŌ#†X1¾X»¼q`L#ŌŠ ° ŠÓ=ÓĢņ ņŌ_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō€€A/32/44€(1977)ó 󀀀€ņņ8óó/Š Ŗś ŠĢĢÓ  Ó113.€€At€its€26th€meeting,€on€16€August€1977,€the€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€submittedŠ h ø Šby€the€Government€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€under€article€40€of€the€Covenant.Š Q ” ŠĢ114.€€In€a€brief€oral€introduction,€the€representative€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€stressed€that€herŠ # s Šcountry,€which€had€age„old€humanistic€traditions,€was€making€every€possible€effort€to€eliminate€allŠ  \  Šaspects€of€under„development€inherited€from€periods€of€foreign€domination€and€to€establish€a€socialŠ õ E  Šorder€fully€in€accordance€with€modern€values.€€These€efforts€were€being€made€in€spite€of€the€needŠ Ž.  Što€take€exceptional€measures€to€meet€external€aggression.Š Ē  ŠĢ115.€€The€questions€put€by€members€of€the€Committee€are€summarized€below:€€Š ™é  ŠĢą  ą(a)€€Information€was€sought€concerning€the€remedies€available€to€individuals€for€theŠ k» Šsafeguarding€of€their€human€rights.€€It€was€indicated€that€there€existed€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,Š T¤ Šon€the€one€hand,€civil€and€penal€jurisdictions€and,€on€the€other€hand,€administrative€courts€to€whichŠ = Šindividuals€could€submit€complaints€alleging€violation€of€their€rights€be€executive€and€administrativeŠ &v Šauthorities.€€Š _ ŠĢą  ą(b)€€More€detailed€information€was€requested€on€the€laws€governing€the€equality€of€men€andŠ į1 Šwomen.€€The€representative€of€the€Government€stressed€that€article€45€of€the€Constitution€guaranteedŠ Ź Šwomen€every€opportunity€to€contribute€effectively€in€the€economic,€social,€cultural€and€politicalŠ ³ Šfields.€€They€have€full€opportunity€for€education.€€They€are€guaranteed€equal€pay€for€equal€work.€Š œģ ŠEfforts€continue€to€be€made€by€the€Government€to€remove€all€obstacles€which€hinder€theirŠ …Õ Šdevelopment€and€full€participation€in€society,€including€some€difficulties€stemming€from€culturalŠ n¾ Štraditions.Š W§ ŠĢą  ą(c)€€Questions€were€asked€concerning€the€offences€in€respect€of€which€the€death€sentenceŠ ) y Šmay€be€imposed,€the€frequency€of€death€sentences€and€how€such€sentences€were€being€carried€out.€Š !b ŠIn€reply,€it€was€said€that€the€death€sentence€may€be€imposed€only€for€the€most€serious€crimes,€inŠ ū!K  Šaccordance€with€the€Penal€Code.€€It€was€carried€out€rarely,€only€in€cases€of€offences€against€societyŠ ä"4! Šor€against€the€security€of€the€State.€€Most€of€the€time,€death€penalties€were€commuted€toŠ Ķ#" Šimprisonment€for€life€or€hard€labour.Š ¶$ # ŠĢą  ą(d)€€Some€members€asked€clarification€regarding€the€laws€in€force€in€the€Syrian€ArabŠ ˆ&Ų!% ŠRepublic€to€ensure€the€implementation€of€articles€of€the€Covenant€prohibiting€torture€and,€especially,Š q'Į"& Šthe€remedies€available€for€victims€of€torture€or€ill„treatment.€€The€representative€of€the€GovernmentŠ Z(Ŗ#' Šstressed€that,€under€the€Constitution€and€the€Penal€Code,€every€person€guilty€of€torture€was€severely€Š C)“$( Špunished.€€In€addition,€public€officials€guilty€of€arbitrary€arrest€would€be€sentenced€to€a€term€of€hardŠ ,*|%) Šlabour.Š +e&* Š___________Š ž+N'+ Š€€ņņ8óó/€ą  ąŌ_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/1/Add.1/Rev.1.Š ē,7(, ŠŠ Š- )- Šą  ą(e)€€Information€was€requested€concerning€the€prohibition€of€slavery€and€forced€labour,€inŠ ° Šaccordance€with€article€8€of€the€Covenant.€€It€was€said€that€Syria€had€never€known€slavery,€becauseŠ ™é Šthis€concept€runs€counter€to€the€laws€of€Islam.€€Imprisonment€with€hard€labour€was€a€criminalŠ ‚Ņ Špenalty€which€may€be€imposed€only€by€a€Court.€€In€most€cases,€hard€labour€was€inflicted€as€a€resultŠ k» Šof€the€commutation€of€a€death€sentence.Š T¤ ŠĢą  ą(f)€€Questions€were€asked€regarding€the€treatment€imposed€upon€pre„trial€detainees€as€distinctŠ & v Šfrom€that€meted€out€to€convicted€prisoners.€€The€representative€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€statedŠ  _ Šin€reply€that€the€treatment€accorded€to€persons€suspected,€formally€accused,€and€convicted€differed,Š ų H Šnotably€as€regards€the€place€of€detention.€€Suspects€were€usually€kept€in€police€stations,€whereasŠ į 1  Šaccused€persons€were€imprisoned,€though€separately€from€convicted€prisoners.Š Ź   ŠĢą  ą(g)€€Some€members€sought€more€information€concerning€the€laws€on€immigration,Š œģ  Šemigration€and€deportation.€€The€Committee€was€informed€that€Syria,€traditionally€a€country€ofŠ …Õ  Štransit,€knew€in€principle€no€restriction€as€regards€entering€and€leaving€the€country.€€Only€the€stateŠ n¾  Šof€war€had€required€limitations€on€such€movements.€€The€representative€of€the€Government€also€saidŠ W§  Šthat€an€alien€who€was€lawfully€in€the€territory€could€only€be€expelled€from€the€country€if€he€hadŠ @ Šcommitted€a€crime€or€if€he€had€entered€the€country€illegally.Š )y ŠĢą  ą(h)€€Some€members€requested€more€information€concerning€the€implementation€of€article€20Š ūK Š(1)€of€the€Covenant€on€the€prohibition€of€war€propaganda.€€The€representative€of€the€GovernmentŠ ä4 Šreplied€that€implementation€of€this€article€in€Syria€had€necessarily€to€be€viewed€in€the€context€of€theŠ Ķ Špresent€critical€situation€of€resistance€to€external€aggression.Š ¶ ŠĢą  ą(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€€Questions€were€put€on€measurers€taken€to€guarantee€freedom€of€religion€and€belief.€€TheŠ ˆŲ ŠCommittee€was€informed€that€there€was€no€discrimination€against€Christianity€and€Judaism,€and€thatŠ qĮ Šthe€three€religions€„€Islam,€Christianity,€Judaism€„€were€freely€Ō_ŌpracticedŌ_Ō.€€Those€who€fail€to€respectŠ ZŖ Šany€of€these€religions€may€be€severely€punished.€€A€clear€distinction€was€made,€however,€betweenŠ C“ Šreligion,€on€the€one€hand,€and€subversive€political€movements€and€racist€ideologies,€on€the€otherŠ ,| Šhand.Š e ŠĢą  ą(j)€€Clarification€was€sought€on€policies€and€measures€to€ensure€full€equality€of€all€personsŠ ē 7 Šbefore€the€law.€€The€representative€of€Syria€emphasized€that€the€policy€of€Government€was€toŠ Š!   Šeliminate€or€reduce€inequalities€stemming€from€wealth,€property,€rank€or€social€distinctions.Š ¹" ! ŠĢą  ą(k)€€Clarification€was€further€requested€on€the€various€legal€categories€of€property€rightsŠ ‹$Ū# Šrecognized€in€Syria,€in€relation€to€social€and€political€structures.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€SyriaŠ t%Ä $ Šsaid€that€š špublic€ownershipšš€referred€to€property€belonging€to€the€people€as€a€whole,€such€asŠ ]&­!% Šessential€natural€resources.€€š šCollective€ownershipšš€applied€to€property€owned€by€associations.€€TheŠ F'–"& Šamount€of€property€which€may€be€owned€by€any€individual,€quite€adequate€for€one€family,€wasŠ /(#' Šlimited€to€avoid€the€economic€exploitation€of€others.€Š )h$( ŠĢą  ą(l)€€What€was€the€legal€technique€of€incorporation€of€the€Covenant€into€domestic€law?Š ź*:&* ŠĢą  ą(m)€€Was€it€open€for€any€individual€to€invoke€before€the€Courts€or€administrative€authoritiesŠ ¼, (, Šthe€provisions€of€the€Covenant€and€claim€annulment€of€a€law€or€measure€on€grounds€ofŠ „-õ(- Šincompatibility€with€Covenant?Š ° ŠĢą  ą(n)€€Are€there€any€derogations€to€the€Covenant€or€the€Constitution€in€force€at€the€present€timeŠ ‚Ņ Šand,€in€the€affirmative,€what€are€the€nature€and€effect€of€such€derogations?€€The€Committee€wouldŠ k» Šlike€to€be€informed€about€the€laws€and€regulations€which€are€in€force€in€time€of€public€emergency.Š T¤ ŠĢą  ą(o)€€In€connection€with€article€6€of€the€Covenant,€what€has€the€State€done€to€reduce€infantŠ & v Šmortality€and€improve€the€life€expectancy€of€the€people?Š  _ ŠĢą  ą(p)€€Are€there€at€present€in€Syria€people€not€convicted€of€crime€who€are€detained€for€politicalŠ į 1  Šreasons?€€If€so,€what€are€the€reasons€for€their€detention€and€what€are€the€conditions€of€custody?Š Ź   ŠĢą  ą(q)€€Are€remedial€procedures€easily€accessible€to€all€in€practice,€in€particular€as€regards€theŠ œģ  Šfinancial€aspects?Š …Õ  ŠĢą  ą(r)€€In€article€28€of€the€Penal€Code€referring€to€the€treatment€of€convicted€persons,€what€isŠ W§  Šmeant€by€the€expression€š šin€a€manner€appropriate€to€his€conductšš.Š @ ŠĢą  ą(s)€€The€Committee€would€like€to€have€more€detailed€information€on€the€implementation€ofŠ b Šthe€provisions€contained€in€article€14€of€the€Covenant.€€For€example,€the€Committee€would€like€toŠ ūK Šsee€the€full€text€of€the€law€of€criminal€procedure.Š ä4 ŠĢą  ą(t)€€As€regards€freedom€of€expression,€what€is€meant€by€the€right€to€š šconstructive€criticism,Š ¶ Šin€a€manner€that€will€safeguard€the€soundness€of€the€domestic€structure€and€strengthen€the€socialistŠ Ÿļ Šsystemšš,€in€article€38€of€the€Constitution?€€Is€the€press€subject€to€government€control?Š ˆŲ ŠĢą  ą(u)€€What€are€the€limitations€imposed€on€the€right€of€peaceful€assembly?Š  ZŖ ŠŌ_Ōņ ņŌ_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō€€A/34/40€(1979)ó óŠ ° ŠĢĢ286.€€The€Committee€considered€the€supplementary€report€ņņ10óó/€submitted€by€the€Syrian€ArabŠ l¼ ŠRepublic€(Ō_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/1/Add.31)€at€its€158th€and€160th€meetings,€and€on€2€and€3€August€1979Š U„ Š(Ō_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/SR.158€and€160).€€The€issues€were€considered€topic€by€topic.Š > Ž ŠĢ287.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party€who€stated€that€theŠ  ` ŠInternational€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights,€which€had€been€ratified€and€promulgated€byŠ ł I Šhis€Government,€was€compatible€with€its€Constitutional€system€and€was€therefore€an€integral€partŠ ā 2  Šof€the€internal€law€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic.€€Its€provisions€may€be€invoked€by€any€citizen€beforeŠ Ė   Šthe€judicial€or€administrative€authorities.€€He€pointed€out€that€his€country€was€entitled,€like€any€otherŠ “  ŠState€party€which€may€face€danger€and€threats€to€its€national€security,€as€Syria€did€due€to€theŠ ķ  Šcontinued€occupation€of€parts€of€its€territory€by€Israel,€to€derogate€from€some€of€its€obligations€underŠ †Ö  Šthe€Covenant€in€accordance€with€article€4€thereof,€to€the€extent€strictly€required€by€the€exigenciesŠ oæ  Šof€the€situation.€€Citing€a€declaration€by€the€President€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€before€theŠ XØ  ŠNational€Council,€the€representative€stressed€that€no€state€of€emergency€existed€in€his€country€andŠ A‘ Šthat€martial€law€was€not€applied€any€more€except€when€the€security€of€the€State€was€in€danger.€€HeŠ *z Šfinally€stated€that€the€two€reports€submitted€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€should€be€viewed€in€theirŠ c Šproper€perspective,€that€is€to€say,€in€the€context€of€the€conflict€in€the€Middle€East€which€wasŠ üL Šthreatening€the€life€of€the€nation€and€that,€owing€to€the€fact€that€part€of€the€Syrian€territory€was€underŠ å5 Šforeign€occupation,€his€Government€could€not€implement€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant,Š Ī Šparticularly€article€40€thereof,€since€it€was€unable€to€secure€and€protect€the€rights€and€freedoms€ofŠ · Šthe€inhabitants€of€its€occupied€territories.Š  š ŠĢ288.€€Members€of€the€Committee€expressed€their€appreciation€for€the€readiness€of€the€GovernmentŠ rĀ Šof€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€to€continue€the€fruitful€dialogue€with€the€Committee€which€started€atŠ [« Šits€second€session€and€recalled€that€the€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€was€the€first€to€beŠ D” Šsubmitted€and€considered€under€article€40€of€the€Covenant€and€that€Ō_ŌthatŌ_Ō€country€was€one€of€the€firstŠ -} Šcountries€to€submit€a€supplementary€report.Š f ŠĢ289.€€Referring€to€the€statement€in€the€report€as€reiterated€by€the€representative€of€the€Syrian€ArabŠ č 8 ŠRepublic€to€the€effect€that€as€soon€as€it€was€ratified€and€promulgated€by€the€competent€authoritiesŠ Ń!!  Šin€his€country€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights€became€an€integral€part€ofŠ ŗ" ! Šthe€Syrian€internal€law,€members€of€the€Committee€asked€what€legislative€procedure€had€beenŠ £#ó" Šfollowed€to€that€end;€whether€the€Constitution€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€provided€for€theŠ Œ$Ü# Šautomatic€incorporation€of€international€treaties€into€the€internal€law€of€the€country;€whether€lawsŠ u%Å $ Šthat€existed€at€the€time€of€the€ratification€of€the€Covenant€and€were€not€consistent€with€its€provisionsŠ ^&®!% Šwere€automatically€abrogated€by€the€fact€of€such€ratification€or€by€special€laws;€whether€it€wasŠ G'—"& Špossible€for€an€individual€directly€to€invoke€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€before€the€judicial€andŠ 0(€#' Šadministrative€authorities€and,€it€so,€how€frequently€did€that€occur;€whether€the€law€provided€for€the€Š )i$( Š___________Š *R%) Šą  ąņņ10óó/€ą ` ąThe€initial€report€(Ō_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/1/Add.1/Rev.1)€was€considered€at€the€26th€meeting€heldŠ ė*;&* Šon€16€August€1977€(Ō_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/SR.26).€€See€also€ņņOfficial€Records€of€the€General€Assembly,€Thirty„Š Ō+$'+ Šsecond€Session,€Supplement€No.€44óó€(A/32/44€and€Corr.1),€paras.€113„115.Š ½, (, ŠŠ ¦-ö(- Šprompt€implementation€of€judicial€decisions€based€on€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant;€and€whetherŠ ° Šthe€provisions€of€the€Covenant€were€well€known€among€members€of€the€legal€profession.€€In€thisŠ ™é Šconnection€the€question€was€also€asked€as€to€which€provisions€would€prevail€if€a€conflict€did€ariseŠ ‚Ņ Šbefore€the€courts€between€the€Covenant€and€the€Constitution€or€other€laws,€including€those€whichŠ k» Šcame€into€force€after€the€Covenant,€and€which€courts,€if€any,€were€competent€to€decide€on€thisŠ T¤ Šquestion€as€well€as€on€whether€a€certain€law€or€administrative€act€was€compatible€with€theŠ =  Šprovisions€of€the€Covenant.€€The€question€was€also€asked€as€to€whether€written€and€customary€lawsŠ & v Šexisted€side€by€side€in€Syria€and,€if€so,€whether€a€written€law€such€as€the€Covenant€would,€in€caseŠ  _ Šof€conflict,€prevail€over€the€customary€law.€Š ų H ŠĢ290.€€Referring€to€article€2€of€the€Covenant€under€which€each€State€party€undertook€to€respect€andŠ Ź   Što€ensure€to€all€individuals€within€its€territory€and€subject€to€its€jurisdiction€the€rights€recognized€inŠ ³  Šthe€Covenant,€and€referring€to€the€fact€that€certain€elements€of€the€Syrian€armed€forces€were€knownŠ œģ  Što€be€stationed€outside€Syrian€territory,€one€member€asked€whether€it€was€the€view€of€the€SyrianŠ …Õ  ŠGovernment€that€the€provisions€of€that€article€of€the€Covenant€conferred€a€responsibility€on€it€inŠ n¾  Šrespect€of€the€acts€of€those€forces€outside€Syrian€territory€and,€if€so,€what€instructions€were€givenŠ W§  Što€them€and€in€what€manner.€Š @ ŠĢ291.€€Replying€to€the€questions€summarized€above,€the€representative€of€the€Syrian€Arab€RepublicŠ b Šstated€that€there€was€no€contradiction€between€the€Covenant€and€the€Constitution€of€his€country;Š ūK Šthat,€had€that€been€the€case,€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€would€have€first€amended€its€Constitution€orŠ ä4 Šrefrained€from€ratifying€the€Covenant,€for€the€Constitution€was€supreme€and€any€other€instrumentsŠ Ķ Što€which€his€country€became€party€had€to€be€in€conformity€with€the€Constitution;€that,€in€case€ofŠ ¶ Šconflict€between€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€and€existing€law,€the€provisions€of€the€CovenantŠ Ÿļ Šwould€prevail€and€automatically€amend€that€law.€€Noting€that€the€Covenant€had€recently€come€intoŠ ˆŲ Šforce,€he€stated€that,€to€his€knowledge,€its€provisions€have€not€yet€been€invoked€before€the€SyrianŠ qĮ Šcourts.€€Referring€to€a€case€involving€a€labour€dispute€in€which€the€Syrian€court€ruled€that€theŠ ZŖ Šprovisions€of€the€international€instrument€concerning€prevailed€over€the€existing€law,€he€pointed€outŠ C“ Šthat€he€was€certain€that,€had€the€Court€of€Cassation€to€decide€in€another€case€involving€contradictionŠ ,| Šbetween€a€national€law€and€the€Covenant,€the€court€would€rule€in€favour€of€the€latter.€€Replying€toŠ e Ša€question€concerning€the€Ō_ŌenforceabilityŌ_Ō€of€a€court€decision€based€on€the€Covenant,€he€stated€thatŠ žN Šhe€was€not€aware€of€any€court€decision€which€had€not€been€executed.€€Replying€to€a€questionŠ ē 7 Šconcerning€the€status€of€customary€law€in€his€country,€he€referred€to€article€(I)€of€the€Civil€Code€ofŠ Š!   Šthe€Syrian€Arab€Republic€which€provides€that,€in€case€there€is€no€provision€in€the€code€relating€toŠ ¹" ! Ša€matter€falling€within€its€scope,€the€magistrate€may€judge€on€the€basis€of€Islamic€jurisprudence€orŠ ¢#ņ" Šin€accordance€with€customary€law€or€the€principles€of€equity.Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢ292.€€Replying€to€the€question€concerning€article€2€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€stated€thatŠ ]&­!% Šthe€soldiers€of€Syrian€nationality€who€served€in€Lebanon€were€part€of€the€Arab€Force€of€DissuasionŠ F'–"& Šwhich€was€created€by€the€League€of€Arab€States.€€As€it€was€the€case€with€the€United€Nations€forcesŠ /(#' Šstationed€in€Lebanon,€this€force€was€there€to€keep€order€and€that€it€was€under€the€direct€commandŠ )h$( Šof€the€President€of€that€country.Š *Q%) ŠĢ293.€€With€reference€to€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€it€was€noted€that€only€a€brief€reference€was€madeŠ Ó+#'+ Šin€the€report€to€the€state€of€emergency,€and€accordingly,€to€the€derogations€that€may€have€been€madeŠ ¼, (, Šunder€article€4€of€the€Covenant.€€More€information€was€requested€on€the€specific€rights€that€may€beŠ „-õ(- Šderogated€from,€the€extent€of€such€derogations€and€their€justification;€the€laws€and€regulations€whichŠ ° Šwere€applied€in€such€a€case€and€the€manner€in€which€the€state€of€emergency€affected€the€judiciaryŠ ™é Šand€the€protection€of€those€human€rights€that€it€was€not€possible€to€derogate€from€under€article€4€ofŠ ‚Ņ Šthe€Covenant.€€In€this€connection€reference€was€made€to€paragraph€3€of€article€4€of€the€CovenantŠ k» Šwhich€requires€any€State€party€to€the€Covenant€availing€itself€of€the€right€of€derogation€to€informŠ T¤ Šimmediately€the€other€States€parties€to€the€Covenant,€through€the€intermediary€of€the€Secretary„Š =  ŠGeneral€of€the€United€Nations,€of€the€provisions€from€which€it€has€derogated€and€of€the€justificationŠ & v Šfor€the€strict€necessity€of€the€derogations.€€Members€observed€that€the€Committee€had€not€been€madeŠ  _ Šaware€of€such€derogation€and€requested€detailed€information€regarding€derogations€which€may€haveŠ ų H Šbeen€made€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic.€€Information€was€requested€on€the€exact€nature€of€the€stateŠ į 1  Šof€emergency,€if€any€existed,€and,€if€it€did€exist,€when€would€it€cease€to€have€effect.Š Ź   ŠĢ294.€€Commenting€on€the€impact€of€a€state€of€emergency€on€the€independence€of€the€judiciary,Š œģ  Šmembers€sought€detailed€information€on€the€extent€to,€and€manner€in€which,€judicial€institutionsŠ …Õ  Šwere€functioning€in€the€Republic.€€With€reference€to€paragraph€1€of€article€4€of€the€Covenant€whichŠ n¾  Šrequires€a€State€party€to€use€its€right€of€derogation€to€the€extent€strictly€required€by€the€exigenciesŠ W§  Šof€the€situation€and€to€the€fact€that€the€provisions€of€article€14€were€not€included€among€the€articlesŠ @ Šfrom€which€no€derogation€was€permitted€under€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€members€soughtŠ )y Šinformation€on€the€security€courts€that€have€replaced€the€military€courts€on€the€difference€betweenŠ b Šthe€jurisdiction€and€procedures€applicable€to€the€security€courts€and€the€military€courts€which€theyŠ ūK Šhave€replaced;€and€on€the€guarantees€enjoyed€by€accused€persons€brought€before€them.€€In€thisŠ ä4 Šconnection€it€was€noted€that€States€tended€to€resort€more€easily€to€the€death€penalty€in€emergencyŠ Ķ Šsituations€and€the€question€was€asked€whether€any€information€could€be€given€on€the€use€in€theŠ ¶ ŠSyrian€Arab€Republic€of€that€penalty.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ295.€€Replying€to€the€questions€concerning€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€of€the€SyrianŠ qĮ ŠArab€Republic€stressed€that€the€conditions€under€which€a€state€of€emergency€could€be€proclaimedŠ ZŖ Šwere€contained€in€a€decree€dated€22€December€1962.€€In€accordance€with€this€decree,€a€state€ofŠ C“ Šemergency€may€be€declared€in€the€event€of€war€or€in€a€situation€conducive€to€war,€when€the€securityŠ ,| Šof€the€State€or€public€order€(ņņŌ_ŌordreŌ_Ō€publicóó)€was€threatened.€€The€representative€pointed€out€that€a€stateŠ e Šof€emergency€could€only€be€proclaimed€by€a€decision€of€the€Council€of€Ministers€chaired€by€theŠ žN ŠPresident€of€the€Republic;€that€it€could€be€declared€for€the€entire€territory€of€the€Republic€or€for€onlyŠ ē 7 Šsome€parts€of€it;€and€that,€once€proclaimed,€the€state€of€emergency€would€restrict€such€personalŠ Š!   Šfreedoms€as€those€of€assembly€and€movement€and€would€also€allow€the€preventative€detention€ofŠ ¹" ! Šsuspects€who€may€endanger€the€security€of€the€State€or€public€order.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ296.€€Replying€to€the€questions€concerning€military€and€security€tribunals,€the€representative€pointedŠ t%Ä $ Šout€that€the€military€tribunals€had€been€abolished€and€that€only€the€Superior€Tribunal€of€Security€wasŠ ]&­!% Šin€existence.€€As€to€the€rights€of€the€accused€before€this€Tribunal,€he€referred€to€a€decree€whichŠ F'–"& Šprovided€that,€without€prejudice€to€the€right€of€defence€stipulated€in€the€laws€in€force,€the€StateŠ /(#' ŠSecurity€Tribunals€were€not€bound€to€conform€with€the€procedures€provided€for€in€existingŠ )h$( Šlegislation€in€all€procedural€stages€of€investigation€and€judgement.€€He€also€pointed€out€thatŠ *Q%) Šjudgements€of€the€State€security€courts€were€not€executed€unless€approved€by€the€Head€of€State.€€InŠ ź*:&* Šthis€connection€and€with€reference€to€the€question€on€the€use€in€Syria€of€the€death€penalty€inŠ Ó+#'+ Šemergency€situations,€he€stated€that€the€death€penalty€was€provided€for€in€the€Penal€Code€inŠ ¼, (, Šconnection€with€premeditated€murder€and€crimes€against€the€security€of€the€State.€€The€impositionŠ „-õ(- Šof€this€penalty€was€relatively€rare€and€those€condemned€to€death€could€appeal€for€pardon.Š ° ŠĢ297.€€In€connection€with€articles€9€and€14€of€the€Covenant€the€question€was€asked€whether€thereŠ ‚Ņ Šwere€still€any€persons€held€for€political€reasons€in€prison€without€trial€and€if€so€how€many,€for€howŠ k» Šlong€and€since€when.€€Information€was€requested€by€members€of€the€Committee€on€the€procedureŠ T¤ Šand€conditions€applied€in€the€appointment€and€dismissal€of€judges,€on€the€measures€taken€to€ensureŠ =  Štheir€independence€and€on€whether€women€could€be€appointed€as€judges€in€Syria.Š & v ŠĢ298.€€In€replying€to€questions€raised€with€reference€to€the€provisions€of€article€14€of€the€Covenant,Š ų H Šthe€representative€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€stressed€that€the€Constitution€guaranteed€theŠ į 1  Šindependence€of€the€judiciary€from€the€executive.€€He€pointed€out€that€judges€were€appointed€by€theŠ Ź   ŠPresident€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€and€that€once€appointed€judges€became€immune€and€couldŠ ³  Šonly€be€dismissed€by€a€decision€of€the€Supreme€Judicial€Council€if€and€when€they€themselvesŠ œģ  Šviolated€the€law.€€He€further€stated€that€there€were€in€fact€women€judges€in€courts€having€jurisdictionŠ …Õ  Šover€young€persons.Š n¾  ŠĢ299.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€informed€the€Committee€that€he€would€transmit€its€requestŠ @ Šfor€further€clarifications€to€his€Government.Š  )y Šņ ņŌ‡ X1¾XXX1¾ŌŌUSUK.,ŌŌ_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō€A/56/40€Ō_Ō(2001)ó óŌ_ŌŠ ° ŠĢ81.€€ņņSyrian€Arab€RepublicóóŠ ƒÓ ŠĢ(1)€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€RepublicŠ U„ Š(Ō_ŌCCPRŌ_Ō/C/Ō_ŌSYRŌ_Ō/2000/2)€at€its€1916th€and€1917th€meetings,€held€on€30€March€2001,€and€adopted€theŠ > Ž Šfollowing€concluding€observations€at€its€1924th€meeting,€held€on€5€April€2001.Š ' w ŠĢŌ& Ņ ŌņņIntroductionóóŠ ł I ŠŌ'Ņł FiŌĢ(2)€€The€Committee€has€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic.€Š Ė   ŠItwelcomes€the€submission€of€the€report,€which€contains€detailed€information€on€Syrian€legislationŠ “  Šin€the€area€of€civil€and€political€rights,€and€the€opportunity€to€resume€the€dialogue€with€the€StateŠ ķ  Šparty€after€an€interval€of€24€years.€€It€regrets€the€considerable€delay€in€submitting€the€report,€whichŠ †Ö  Šwas€due€in€1984,€and€the€lack€of€information€on€the€human€rights€situation€in€actual€fact,€whichŠ oæ  Šmakes€it€difficult€for€the€Committee€to€determine€whether€the€State€partyššs€population€is€able€fullyŠ XØ  Šand€effectively€to€exercise€its€fundamental€rights€under€the€Covenant.Š A‘ ŠĢŌ& Ņ ŌņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ c ŠŌ'Ņ¶lŌĢ(3)€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€information€given€by€the€delegation€that€a€large€number€ofŠ å5 Špolitical€prisoners€have€been€released€since€the€early€1990s€and,€more€recently,€in€July€andŠ Ī ŠNovember2000.Š · ŠĢ(4)€€The€Committee€has€noted€evidence€of€developments€within€the€State€party€that€reflect€someŠ ‰Ł Šrelaxation€of€political€restraints€that€have€raised€serious€questions€of€gross€violations€of€rightsŠ rĀ Šprotected€by€the€Covenant.Š [« ŠĢņņSubjects€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóŠ -} ŠĢ(5)€€The€Committee€has€noted€the€status€of€the€Covenant€in€the€State€partyššs€internal€legalŠ ’O Šframework.€€It€also€takes€note€of€the€assurances€given€by€the€State€partyššs€delegation,€without€addingŠ č 8 Šfurther€details€or€citing€precise€cases,€that€the€Covenant€may€be€directly€invoked€before€the€SyrianŠ Ń!!  Šcourts.€€It€notes€that€the€provisions€of€the€Constitution€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€frequently€referŠ ŗ" ! Što€the€law.€€The€law,€however,€rather€than€being€an€additional€guarantee€of€the€rights€and€freedomsŠ £#ó" Šproclaimed€in€the€Constitution€and€ensuring€that€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€are€given€full€effect,Š Œ$Ü# Šoften€tends€to€restrict€the€scope€of€application€of€the€Covenantššs€provisions.Š u%Å $ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€review€its€legislation€in€order€to€render€it€compatible€with€all€the€provisionsŠ G'—"& Šof€the€Covenant.€€The€Committee€wishes€to€receive€from€the€State€party€more€precise€informationŠ 0(€#' Šabout€the€number€of€cases€in€which€the€Covenant€was€in€fact€invoked€before€the€Syrian€courts.Š )i$( ŠĢ(6)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€fact€that€Legislative€Decree€No.€51€of€9€March€1963Š ė*;&* Šdeclaring€a€state€of€emergency€has€remained€in€force€ever€since€that€date,€placing€the€territory€of€theŠ Ō+$'+ ŠSyrian€Arab€Republic€under€a€quasi-permanent€state€of€emergency,€thereby€jeopardizing€theŠ ½, (, Šguarantees€of€article€4€of€the€Covenant.€€It€also€regrets€that€the€delegation€did€not€provide€details€ofŠ ¦-ö(- Šthe€application€of€the€state€of€emergency€in€actual€situations€and€cases.Š ° ŠĢWhile€noting€the€information€given€by€the€State€partyššs€delegation€that€the€state€of€emergency€isŠ ‚Ņ Šrarely€put€into€effect,€the€Committee€recommends€that€it€be€formally€lifted€as€soon€as€possible.Š k» ŠĢ(7)€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€information€given€by€the€State€party€concerning€the€conditionsŠ =  Šfor€proclaiming€a€state€of€emergency€is€still€not€sufficiently€precise.€€It€remains€concerned€that€someŠ & v Šof€the€provisions€of€the€22€December€1962€Legislative€Decree€referred€to€in€the€report€are€too€vagueŠ  _ Šand€imprecise€and€do€not€appear€to€be€compatible€with€the€requirements€of€article4€of€the€Covenant,Š ų H Šand€that€the€legislation€does€not€provide€remedies€against€measures€limiting€citizensšš€fundamentalŠ į 1  Šrights€and€freedoms.Š Ź   ŠĢThe€State€party€should€take€appropriate€steps€to€bring€its€state€of€emergency€legislation€fully€intoŠ œģ  Šline€with€the€requirements€of€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€and€the€Committee€requests€detailed,€preciseŠ …Õ  Šinformation€in€this€regard.Š n¾  ŠĢ(8)€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€delegationššs€explanations€that€the€death€penalty€is€rarelyŠ @ Šimposed€and€even€more€rarely€carried€out.€€It€nevertheless€remains€seriously€concerned€at€theŠ )y Šnumber€of€offences€punishable€by€the€death€penalty€and€at€the€absence€of€any€information€on€theŠ b Šnumber€of€death€sentences€imposed€in€the€past€10€years€and€the€number€of€executions€carried€outŠ ūK Šduring€the€same€period.€€This€situation€is€particularly€disturbing€in€the€light€of€precise,€consistentŠ ä4 Šreports€alleging€that€a€large€number€of€death€sentences€have€been€passed€and€executions€carried€outŠ Ķ Šfollowing€unfair€trials€in€which€the€accused€were€sentenced€although€evidence€was€used€that€hadŠ ¶ Šbeen€obtained€through€confessions€which€had€been€made€under€torture.Š Ÿļ ŠĢThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€ensure€respect€for€articles€6,€7€and14(3)€(g)€of€theŠ qĮ ŠCovenant€and€recommends€that€it€reduce€the€number€of€offences€punishable€by€the€death€penalty.€Š ZŖ ŠThe€State€party€should€also€provide€the€Committee€with€statistics€on€the€number€of€death€sentencesŠ C“ Špassed€since€1990,€the€number€and€identity€of€persons€executed€during€that€period,€the€dates€ofŠ ,| Šexecution€and€the€grounds€for€their€sentence.Š e ŠĢ(9)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€characterization€of€some€of€the€political€offences€referredŠ ē 7 Što€in€paragraph€60€of€the€report€and€punishable€by€the€death€penalty€is€vague€and€imprecise€andŠ Š!   Šincludes€common€law€offences.Š ¹" ! ŠĢThe€State€party€should€make€its€legislation€conform€to€article€6,€paragraph€2,€of€the€Covenant,€whichŠ ‹$Ū# Šprovides€that€sentence€of€death€may€be€imposed€only€for€the€most€serious€crimes.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ(10)€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€allegations€of€extrajudicial€executions€andŠ F'–"& Šdisappearances,€on€which€the€delegation€failed€to€give€sufficient€and€precise€explanationsŠ /(#' Šandinformation.€€These€allegations€concern€the€disappearance€of€many€Syrian€nationalsŠ )h$( ŠandofLebanese€nationals€arrested€in€Lebanon€by€Syrian€forces,€then€transferred€to€the€SyrianArabŠ *Q%) ŠRepublic.Š ź*:&* ŠĢŌ_ŌThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€establish€an€independent€commission€of€inquiry€on€theŠ ¼, (, Šabove-mentioned€disappearances.€€This€commission€should€publish€the€results€of€its€investigationsŠ „-õ(- Šwithin€an€appropriate€time-frame,€and€the€State€party€should€ensure€that€its€conclusions€are€actedŠ ° Šupon,€including,€where€applicable,€through€the€indictment€of€law€enforcement€personnel€identifiedŠ ™é Šin€the€results€of€such€an€investigation.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢ(11)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€absence€of€any€independent€oversight€body€and€ofŠ T¤ Šnon-governmental€organizations€in€a€position€to€consider€the€implementation€of€the€human€rightsŠ =  Šguaranteed€by€the€Constitution€and€governed€by€law.Š & v ŠĢThe€State€party€should€take€the€necessary€measures€to€arrange€for€the€monitoring€of€respect€forŠ ų H Šhuman€rights€in€its€territory€by€an€independent€agency.Š į 1  ŠĢ(12)€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€constant€and€duly€substantiated€allegations€ofŠ ³  Šviolations€of€article€7€of€the€Covenant,€to€which€the€delegation€did€not€respond,€which€are€attributedŠ œģ  Što€law€enforcement€personnel.€€It€notes€with€concern€the€many€allegations€that€torture€is€practisedŠ …Õ  Šin€Syrian€prisons,€particularly€Tadmur€military€prison.Š n¾  ŠĢThe€State€party€should€ensure€that€complaints€of€torture€and€other€abuses€committed€by€agents€ofŠ @ Šthe€State€are€considered€by€an€independent€body.€€The€State€party€should€institute€a€system€ofŠ )y Šindependent€oversight€of€all€detention€facilities€with€a€view€to€preventing€all€acts€of€torture€and€otherŠ b Šabuses€of€power€by€law€enforcement€personnel.Š ūK ŠĢ(13)€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€information€provided€by€the€delegation€on€the€conditions€ofŠ Ķ Šdetention€in€Syrian€prisons.€€It€nonetheless€remains€concerned€about€the€many€allegations€ofŠ ¶ Šinhumane€prison€conditions€and€inadequate€medical€care€in€a€number€of€prisons,€particularlyŠ Ÿļ Šmilitary€prisons,€including€Tadmur€prison.Š ˆŲ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€take€steps€to€improve€prison€conditions€in€the€facilities€referred€to€above.€Š ZŖ ŠIt€must€ensure€that€all€persons€deprived€of€their€liberty€are€treated€with€humanity€and€with€respectŠ C“ Šfor€the€inherent€dignity€of€the€human€person.€€The€State€party€must€ensure€that€appropriate€andŠ ,| Štimely€medical€care€is€available€to€all€detainees.Š e ŠĢ(14)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€number€of€people€held€in€pre-trial€detention,€some€ofŠ ē 7 Šwhom€are€in€solitary€confinement.€€Hundreds€of€people€have€reportedly€been€arrested€and€detainedŠ Š!   Šwithout€an€arrest€warrant€or€indictment,€only€to€be€released€without€judicial€procedures€having€beenŠ ¹" ! Šinitiated€and,€in€many€cases,€after€many€years€in€detention.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢThe€State€party€must€ensure€that€anyone€arrested€or€detained€on€a€criminal€charge€is€broughtŠ t%Ä $ Špromptly€before€a€judge€(article€9,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant).€€The€State€party€must€ensure€thatŠ ]&­!% Šall€other€aspects€of€its€practice€are€consistent€with€the€provisions€of€article€9€of€the€Covenant€andŠ F'–"& Šthat€detainees€have€access€to€counsel€and€are€permitted€to€contact€their€families.€€The€next€reportŠ /(#' Šshould€contain€precise€statistics€on€the€number€of€people€held€in€pre-trial€detention€and€on€theŠ )h$( Šduration€of€and€reasons€for€such€detention.Š *Q%) ŠĢ(15)€€The€Committee€has€noted€the€delegationššs€explanations€to€the€effect€that€the€independence€andŠ Ó+#'+ Šimpartiality€of€the€judiciary€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€are€fully€assured.€€Itnonetheless€remainsŠ ¼, (, Šconcerned€about€certain€aspects€of€the€appointment€of€judges€which€pose€problems€with€regard€toŠ „-õ(- Šarticle€14,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Covenant.€€This€is€the€case€of€the€four-year€renewable€term€of€theŠ ° Šmembers€of€the€Supreme€Constitutional€Court€(article€141€of€the€Constitution),€which,€as€currentlyŠ ™é Šformulated,€may€compromise€their€independence€vis--vis€the€executive€branch.€€The€CommitteeŠ ‚Ņ Šis€also€concerned€that€proceedings€may€be€held€in€camera€in€circumstances€not€authorized€by€articleŠ k» Š14,€paragraph€1.Š T¤ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€take€appropriate€measures€to€ensure€and€protect,€at€all€levels,€theŠ & v Šindependence€and€impartiality€of€the€judiciary.Š  _ ŠĢ(16)€€In€the€Committeeššs€view,€the€procedures€of€the€State€Security€Court€are€incompatible€with€theŠ į 1  Šprovisions€of€article€14,€paragraphs€1,€3€and€5.€€The€public€nature€of€proceedings€before€the€StateŠ Ź   ŠSecurity€Court€is€not€guaranteed.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€allegations,€to€which€theŠ ³  Šdelegation€did€not€respond,€that€the€Court€has€rejected€complaints€of€torture,€even€in€flagrant€cases,Š œģ  Šand€that€some€legal€representatives€have€withdrawn€in€protest€against€the€failure€to€respect€the€rightsŠ …Õ  Šof€the€defence.€€Moreover,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€Security€Courtššs€decisions€are€notŠ n¾  Šsubject€to€appeal.Š W§  ŠĢThe€State€party€should€ensure€that€the€procedures€of€the€State€Security€Court€scrupulously€respectŠ )y Šthe€provisions€of€article€14,€paragraphs€1€and€3,€of€the€Covenant€andshould€grant€accused€personsŠ b Šthe€right€to€appeal€against€the€Courtššs€decisions€(article14,€paragraph€5,€of€the€Covenant).Š ūK ŠĢ(17)€€The€Committee€observes€that€its€questions€on€the€composition€and€jurisdiction€of€militaryŠ Ķ Šcourts€received€summary€responses,€and€notes€the€delegationššs€explanation€that€the€procedures€ofŠ ¶ Šmilitary€courts€do€not€differ€from€those€of€civil€courts.€€It€nonetheless€remains€concerned€aboutŠ Ÿļ Šnumerous€allegations€that€the€procedures€of€military€courts€do€not€respect€the€guarantees€laid€downŠ ˆŲ Šin€article€14€of€the€Covenant.Š qĮ ŠĢThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€provide€it€with€additional€information€on€theŠ C“ Šcomposition,€the€jurisdiction€and€the€procedures€of€military€courts.Š ,| ŠĢ(18)€€The€Committee€notes€that,€notwithstanding€the€provisions€of€article€25€of€the€Constitution€andŠ žN Šthe€explanations€given€by€the€delegation€in€this€regard,€problems€remain€with€respect€to€genderŠ ē 7 Šequality€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic.€€In€the€Committeeššs€view,€the€Personal€Status€Act€No.€34€ofŠ Š!   Š1975€contains€provisions€which€are€not€compatible€with€articles€2,€paragraph€1,€3€and€26,€of€theŠ ¹" ! ŠCovenant.€€The€Committee€notes,€in€particular,€that€the€provisions€on€the€rights€and€obligations€ofŠ ¢#ņ" Šspouses€during€marriage€and€upon€its€dissolution€include€discriminatory€elements.Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢThe€Committee€recalls€its€General€Comment€No.€28€on€equality€of€rights€between€men€and€women,Š ]&­!% Šand€urgently€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€take€all€necessary€measures€to€make€its€legislationŠ F'–"& Šconsistent€with€articles€2,€paragraph€1,€3€and€26,€of€the€Covenant.Š /(#' ŠĢ(19)€€The€Committee€notes€the€absence,€in€the€State€partyššs€report,€of€adequate€information€andŠ *Q%) Šstatistical€data€on€the€status€of€women,€particularly€with€regard€to€employment,€remuneration€andŠ ź*:&* Šlevel€of€responsibility€in€both€the€public€and€the€private€sectors.Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€provide€the€Committee€with€such€information€and€pertinent€statistical€dataŠ „-õ(- Šin€its€next€periodic€report.Š ° ŠĢ(20)€The€minimum€marriageable€age€is€17€years€for€girls€and€18€for€boys.€€The€fact€that€theŠ ‚Ņ Šminimum€age€can€be€reduced€by€a€judge€to€15€years€for€boys€and€13€for€girls€with€the€fatherššsŠ k» Šconsent€poses€a€problem€with€regard€to€the€State€partyššs€obligation,€under€article€24,€paragraph1,Š T¤ Što€protect€minors.€€Marriage€at€such€a€young€age€hardly€seems€compatible€with€article€23€of€theŠ =  ŠCovenant,€whereby€no€marriage€shall€be€entered€into€without€the€free€and€full€consent€of€theŠ & v Šintending€spouses.Š  _ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€amend€its€legislation€to€bring€it€into€line€with€the€provisions€of€articles€3,€23Š į 1  Šand€24€of€the€Covenant.Š Ź   ŠĢ(21)€€The€Committee€notes€the€promulgation€of€Ordinance€No.€1016€of€13€November€1999,€whichŠ œģ  Šfacilitates€the€travel,€departure€and€return€of€citizens.€€It€remains€concerned€that€many€Syrians€livingŠ …Õ  Šabroad,€as€well€as€their€children,€have€been€denied€a€Syrian€passport.€€This€situation,€which€deprivesŠ n¾  Šthem€of€the€right€to€return€to€their€own€country,€is€incompatible€with€article€12,€paragraph€4;€theŠ W§  Šdenial€of€a€passport€to€children€of€exiled€Syrians€constitutes€a€violation€of€articles€24€and€26€of€theŠ @ ŠCovenant.€€Moreover,€the€fact€that€many€designated€categories€of€nationals€are€still€required€toŠ )y Šobtain€an€exit€visa€each€time€they€wish€to€leave€the€country€is€a€matter€of€concern€to€the€CommitteeŠ b Šand€constitutes€a€violation€of€article12,€paragraph€2,€of€the€Covenant.Š ūK ŠĢThe€State€party€should€facilitate€the€return€to€the€country€of€Syrian€citizens€wishing€to€do€so€andŠ Ķ Šshould€eliminate€the€exit€visa€requirement€as€a€general€rule€and€require€it€only€in€individual€casesŠ ¶ Šthat€can€be€justified€in€relation€to€the€Covenant.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ(22)€€In€the€Committeeššs€opinion,€the€discretionary€power€of€the€Minister€of€the€Interior€to€order€theŠ qĮ Šexpulsion€of€any€alien,€without€safeguards,€if€security€and€the€public€interest€so€require€posesŠ ZŖ Šproblems€with€regard€to€article€13€of€the€Covenant,€particularly€if€the€alien€entered€Syrian€territoryŠ C“ Šlawfully€and€has€obtained€a€residence€permit.€€Protests€lodged€by€the€expelled€alien€with€SyrianŠ ,| Šdiplomatic€and€consular€missions€abroad€are€not€a€satisfactory€solution€in€terms€of€the€Covenant.Š e ŠĢBefore€expelling€an€alien,€the€State€party€should€provide€him€or€her€with€sufficient€safeguards€andŠ ē 7 Šan€effective€remedy,€in€conformity€with€article€13€of€the€Covenant.Š Š!   ŠĢ(23)€€The€Committee€remains€concerned€that€the€activities€of€human€rights€defenders€and€ofŠ ¢#ņ" Šjournalists€who€speak€out€for€human€rights€remain€subject€to€severe€restrictions.€€In€this€context,€itŠ ‹$Ū# Šrefers€to€the€case€of€Nizar€Nayyuf,€who€in€1992€was€sentenced€to€10€yearsšš€imprisonment€for€hisŠ t%Ä $ Šnon-violent€expression€of€opinions€critical€of€the€authorities.€€Such€restrictions€are€incompatible€withŠ ]&­!% Šfreedom€of€expression€and€opinion€as€provided€for€in€article€19€of€the€Covenant.Š F'–"& ŠĢThe€State€party€should€protect€human€rights€defenders€and€journalists€against€any€restriction€on€theirŠ )h$( Šactivities€and€ensure€that€journalists€can€exercise€their€profession€without€fear€of€being€Ō_ŌbroughtŠ *Q%) Šbefore€the€courts€and€prosecuted€for€having€criticized€government€policy.Š ź*:&* ŠĢ(24)€€The€Committee€notes€the€assurance€given€by€the€delegation€that€the€provision€adopted€underŠ ¼, (, Šarticle€38€of€the€Constitution,€which€subjects€the€expression€of€opinions€to€limitations€such€asŠ „-õ(- Šš šconstructive€criticismšš€and€š šthe€integrity€of€the€country€and€the€nationšš€without€establishing€preciseŠ ° Šcriteria,€has€never€been€applied€and€may€be€repealed.€€It€also€notes€the€delegationššs€statement€thatŠ ™é Šthe€provision€of€the1965€legislative€decree€which€makes€opposition€to€the€aims€of€the€revolutionŠ ‚Ņ Ša€political€offence€has€fallen€into€disuse€and€has€apparently€never€been€applied.€€The€CommitteeŠ k» Šremains€nonetheless€concerned€by€numerous€allegations€it€has€received€in€this€respect.Š T¤ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€revise€its€legislation€in€this€particular€area.Š & v ŠĢ(25)€The€Committee€has€noted€the€delegationššs€explanation€that€freedom€of€assembly€is€fullyŠ ų H Šrespected€in€Syria.€€It€remains€concerned,€however,€at€the€restrictions€on€the€holding€of€publicŠ į 1  Šmeetings€and€demonstrations€(see€articles€335€and€336€of€the€Penal€Code).€€In€the€Committeeššs€view,Š Ź   Šsuch€restrictions€exceed€those€authorized€by€article21.Š ³  ŠĢThe€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€provide€it€with€additional€information€on€the€conditionsŠ …Õ  Šfor€authorizing€public€assemblies€and,€in€particular,€to€indicate€whether€and€under€what€conditionsŠ n¾  Šthe€denial€of€an€authorization€can€be€appealed.Š W§  ŠĢ(26)€€While€noting€the€explanations€provided€by€the€delegation€regarding€the€exercise€of€therightŠ )y Što€freedom€of€association,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€absence€of€specific€legislation€onŠ b Špolitical€parties€and€at€the€fact€that€only€political€parties€wishing€to€participate€inthe€politicalŠ ūK Šactivities€of€the€National€Progressive€Front,€led€by€the€Ō_ŌBaathŌ_Ō€party,€are€allowed.€€Š ä4 ŠĢThe€Committee€is€also€concerned€at€the€restrictions€that€can€be€placed€on€the€establishmentŠ ¶ Šofprivate€associations€and€institutions€(paragraph€307€of€the€report),€including€independentŠ Ÿļ Šnon-governmental€organizations€and€human€rights€organizations.Š ˆŲ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€ensure€that€the€proposed€law€on€political€parties€is€compatible€with€theŠ ZŖ Šprovisions€of€the€Covenant.€€It€should€also€ensure€that€the€implementation€of€the€PrivateŠ C“ ŠAssociations€and€Institutions€Act€No.€93€of€1958€is€in€full€conformity€with€articles€22€and€25€of€theŠ ,| ŠCovenant.Š e ŠĢ(27)€€The€Committee€remains€concerned€about€the€situation€of€a€large€number€of€persons€of€KurdishŠ ē 7 Šorigin€who€have€entered€Syria€from€Ō_ŌneighbouringŌ_Ō€countries.€€It€is€also€concerned€about€the€fate€ofŠ Š!   ŠKurds€born€in€Syria€whom€the€Syrian€authorities€treat€either€as€aliens€or€unregistered€persons€andŠ ¹" ! Šwho€encounter€administrative€and€practical€difficulties€in€acquiring€Syrian€nationality.€€TheŠ ¢#ņ" ŠCommittee€considers€this€discriminatory€situation€to€be€incompatible€with€articles€24,€26€and€27€ofŠ ‹$Ū# Šthe€Covenant.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢThe€State€party€should€take€urgent€steps€to€find€a€solution€to€the€statelessness€of€numerous€KurdsŠ F'–"& Šin€Syria€and€to€allow€Kurdish€children€born€in€Syria€to€acquire€Syrian€nationality.Š /(#' ŠĢ(28)€€The€State€party€must€ensure€that€its€second€periodic€report€and€these€concluding€observationsŠ *Q%) Šare€disseminated€widely.Š ź*:&* ŠĢ(29)€€The€State€party€should€indicate€within€one€year,€in€accordance€with€rule€70,€paragraph€5,€ofŠ ¼, (, Šthe€Committeeššs€rules€of€procedure,€the€measures€it€has€taken€or€envisages€to€take€to€lift€the€stateŠ „-õ(- Šof€emergency€(para.€6)€and€submit€the€information€requested€on€cases€in€which€the€Covenant€hasŠ ° Šactually€been€invoked€before€the€Syrian€courts€(para.€5),€the€number€of€death€sentences€passed€sinceŠ ™é Š1990,€the€number€and€identity€of€persons€executed€during€that€period,€the€dates€of€execution€and€theŠ ‚Ņ Šgrounds€for€their€sentence€(para.€8).€€The€State€party€should€also€submit€information€on€disappearedŠ k» Špersons,€as€well€as€on€the€problem€of€extrajudicial€executions€(para.€10).€€Within€the€same€periodŠ T¤ Šof€one€year,€it€should€provide€additional€information€on€the€composition,€the€jurisdiction€andŠ =  Šprocedures€of€military€courts€(para.€17).€€It€should€equally€provide€information€on€the€measuresŠ & v Štaken€to€remedy€the€situation€of€statelessness€of€numerous€Kurds€in€Syria.Š  _ ŠĢ(30)€€The€Committee€requests€that€the€information€relating€to€its€other€recommendations€and€to€theŠ į 1  ŠCovenant€as€a€whole€should€be€included€in€the€third€periodic€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€toŠ Ź   Šbe€submitted€by€1€April€2003.Š ³  ŠŌ#†X1¾XX X1¾õf#ŌŌUK.,US.,gŌĢĢ