Riad Seif denies to be deprived from immunity
Syria, Politics, 3/3/2001

The London Ðbased al-Quds al-Arabi published in its Friday's issue the text of the dialogue the paper made in Damascus with members of Parliament Riyadh Seif, one of the prominent reformers in Syria.

Seif denied that immunity was lifted from him as a member of parliament, rather was lifted partially to permit filing a case against him by the Attorney General, stressing he continued to meet with citizens in his forum, but not by a lecture, rather free discussions on what is taking place.

Seif considered the Baath party, governmental and security attacks against intellectuals and the forums of the civil society as a fault that should be corrected because there are not civil society organizations in Syria and therefore there is no " social balance" at the meantime. There are no two sides in Syria. There is only one side which is the authority which controls every thing." He cited an example on that the state run media where any Syrian citizen can not publish his views with basics of freedom.

He described the oppression the forums have been exposed to as a peaceful oppression and not a violent one. He expected an official opinion to be released during the two coming weeks to decide on these matters and expressed his optimism to issue a new law for parties.

Previous Stories:
  News in Damascus of nearby resignation of Miro government; focus on reform   (3/2/2001)
  Al-Shara briefs Lebanese counterpart on results of Powell's visit to Syria   (3/2/2001)
  A second document by the civil society committees   (2/26/2001)
  Syria: civil society committees to reorganize themselves   (2/24/2001)
  Syrian official and the political forums   (2/22/2001)

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