Syrian opposition calls for election boycott
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syrian opposition calls for election boycott, 6 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fab7183c.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 06, 2012
Leading Syrian opposition groups have called for a boycott of the country's parliamentary elections scheduled for May 7.
The groups have called the elections "a mockery" and have instead formed an "alternative" parliament, according to a statement published in the pan-Arab "Asharq al-Awsat" newspaper on May 6.
The statement said the alternative legislature's first act was to cancel the current constitution and restore the one adopted in 1950.
The statement came as violence continued in the country, particularly in eastern Deir al-Zour province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that more than 600 people have been killed since a UN-brokered cease-fire took effect last month.
The UN estimates that more than 9,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
Based on reporting by dpa and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
