Syria’s new constitution will establish Islamic law as the primary basis of its legal system while ensuring freedom of speech for its citizens. A draft of the new constitution has been released, confirming this provision. President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has signed the draft constitution.
According to Reuters, a legal expert appointed by President Al-Sharaa read out the 44 articles of the new constitution last week.
On December 8 last year, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the group’s leader, assumed power and nullified the Assad-era constitution. He also initiated legal actions against government officials involved in human rights violations. Currently, efforts are underway to reconstruct Syria under his leadership.
The interim government, led by Al-Sharaa, will remain in power for five years, after which general elections will be held.
Western countries had imposed sanctions on Syria and withdrawn their diplomats due to Assad’s alleged human rights abuses. However, following the formation of the new government, these sanctions are gradually being lifted, and diplomatic ties are being restored. Recently, Canada became the latest Western nation to lift sanctions and announce the reappointment of its ambassador to Syria.