Syrian lawmakers are reviewing a motion to repeal Law No. 49 of 1980, a measure originally enacted in July 1980 under the leadership of Hafez al-Assad. The legislation, which mandates the death penalty for membership in the Muslim Brotherhood, has long defined the legal landscape regarding internal security in Syria. Statements issued on 13 October indicated that the necessary procedural steps for the repeal motion were not completed in time for a scheduled mid-October floor vote. Parliamentary officials continue to manage the internal review process as the assembly evaluates the potential removal of the statute. No new date for a floor vote has been announced by the legislature following the delay.
Legislative Requirements for Repeal
Procedural rules governing the People’s Assembly dictate that at least 17 members must endorse a motion before it can be drafted and referred to committee for formal review. Abdel Nasser Houshan, chair of the People’s Assembly’s Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, stated that "the proposal remains in the signature-collection phase and has not yet been formally lodged with the assembly." These internal requirements ensure that any legislative change undergoes a structured evaluation process within the committee system before reaching the floor for a vote.
Political developments outside the legislature have also influenced discussions regarding the legal status of organizations. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Shura Council held a meeting on 27 September that produced a 16-point communiqué calling for political pluralism. This document outlines the organization's current stance on governance and legal rights, which serves as a point of reference for lawmakers considering the repeal of existing security statutes.
Legal reform efforts in the country have been framed by broader declarations regarding the status of emergency measures. The 'Victory Conference' announced the suspension of emergency and exceptional legislation on 29 January 2025. This suspension represents a change in the application of security laws, providing a functional backdrop for the current legislative review of statutes that were enacted during periods of heightened emergency. Lawmakers continue to assess how these prior administrative shifts align with the potential repeal of laws that previously mandated strict penalties for political affiliation. The assembly remains focused on these procedural benchmarks as it determines the future of the 1980 legislation.
