Constitutive Assembly of the State of Syria

“ So long as France shall continue to be under international obligations in respect of Syria, any provisions of the present Constitution which may affect those obligations shall only be applied in conformity with an agreement to be concluded between the French and Syrian Governments. ”

“ The Chamber of Deputies may indict Ministers for high treason or abuse of powers, in virtue of a decision which may only be taken by a majority of two-thirds of the total number of deputies. The civil responsibility of Ministers shall be determined by a special law, in which regard shall be paid to the principle of pecuniary responsibility towards the State. Article 95. A Minister who is indicted shall be tried by the High Court. ”

“ Should the Presidency become vacant through the death or resignation of the President, or for any other cause, the Assembly shall meet within eight days, of its own accord, to elect a new President. If the Chamber is dissolved at the time the vacancy occurs, the electoral bodies shall be convened without delay, and as soon as the elections have taken place the Chamber shall meet as of full right. ”

“ No Minister may buy or rent anything which is the property of the State domains, even at a public auction. He may not participate in contracts for supplies entered into by the public administrations, nor may he during his term of office be on the board of any business. ”

“ The rights of the different religious communities shall be guaranteed, and such bodies may found schools for the education of children in their own language, provided always that they conform to the principles laid down by the law. ”

“ Rights of ownership shall be protected by law; no person may be expropriated, except on grounds of public utility and in the circumstances defined by law, and on condition that fair compensation is paid beforehand. ”

“ The judicial power shall be exercised in accordance with a statute established by law and affording the necessary guarantees to the judges and persons amenable to their jurisdiction. The judges shall be independent and irremovable, within the limits of the law; judgments shall be rendered and executed in the name of the Syrian people. ”

“ The Chamber, represented by its President, is alone entitled to maintain order among its members. No armed forces may enter the Assembly Hall, nor be posted in its neighbourhood, except at the demand of the President. ”

“ Every deputy shall represent the whole of the nation and may not accept any restriction of his mandate. Article 43. A deputy may also at the same time discharge the functions of a Minister. Article 44. The Chamber shall hold two ordinary sessions each year: the first session shall open on the first Tuesday following March 15th, and shall terminate at the end of May; the second shall open on the first Tuesday following October 15th, and shall continue till the end of the year. The second session shall be primarily devoted to the discussion and the adoption of the budget. ”

“ Every person who is arrested or detained in custody shall be informed within twenty-four hours of the grounds for such detention or arrest, and of the authority at whose instance it has been carried out ”