The Syrian government yesterday passed a bill lifting the country’s decades-old emergency law, some hours after protesters were fired upon by security forces. This follows weeks of pro-reform demonstrations and protests. Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has at this point not yet signed the bill into legislation.

The bill abolishes Syria’s security courts, and allows for peaceful protests – which works out nicely, as peaceful protestors have been taken to the security courts for the past couple of weeks.

But nay! Says the BBC:

The indications are that [the legal changes] will not be enough to satisfy the protesters… Anti-government demonstrations are reported to have begun in the north-western city of Baniyas after the emergency law was passed.

Several hundred people were also reported to be rallying on the streets of Damascas.”

Step in the right direction, though. Good day for it, too.

[Source : Al Jazeera]