Syria cracks down on freedom of speech, assembly

NICOSIA — Syria has launched a crackdown on political debate. Syrian authorities have warned that public discussions and lectures will no longer be allowed without a license. The license, they said, must be obtained 15 days before any gathering.

The move threatens the nascent political debate in Syria that appeared encouraged by President Bashar Assad. This included the publication of newspapers that were no longer under direct government control.

Over the weekend, Syrian officials outlined the new guidelines. They warned that the Assad regime will not allow chaos to return to the country.

Vice President Abdul Khalim Khaddam was quoted by the London-based Al Hayat daily as saying that the Assad regime would not allow Syria to turn into Algeria or Yugoslavia.

In response, many intellectuals said they were abandoning their political activity. Parliamentarian Riad Seif, who led the reform effort, is the subject of a judicial complaint that he has harmed the constitution. The parliamentary immunity of Seif has been lifted, the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily reported on Monday.

The government has targeted so-called political clubs, which host lectures or discussion groups. They have sprung up around the country as part of a movement that urges democracy.

Authorities now demand that clubs present a copy of any scheduled lecture as well as a list of those attending.

Syrian sources said this automatically restricts discussion as well as the number of participants.