A coalition of 12 Syrian human rights organizations called on the government in March 2011 to abolish the state of emergency, which had been in effect for nearly half a century.
The Baath party imposed the measure when it seized power on 8 March 1963, granting security services sweeping authority, establishing special tribunals, and banning all opposition movements.
The groups jointly demanded the release of political prisoners and new legislation enabling citizens to form political parties and participate in public affairs.
Several signatories represented Syria's Kurdish minority, which makes up roughly nine percent of the population. The statement urged authorities to eliminate all forms of discrimination against Kurds and recognize their cultural and linguistic rights.
The coalition, which included the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, also called for judicial reform conducted with civil society participation to strengthen court independence.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2011, in its own words.