E/CN.4/1993/62 page 104 Syrian-American Jews visited the embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Washington, on 4 December 1991, to convey congratulations from the Syrian-American Jews in Brooklyn, New York, on the election of President Hafez al-Assad for a new constitutional term. The delegation of Syrian-American Jews denounced the demonstrations recently staged by some Jews outside Syrian embassies in a number of European countries, and made clear its lack of support for such demonstrations, which served only to further Israel’s political goals. 22. On the twenty-first anniversary of the Corrective Movement, which was led by President Hafez al-Assad in 1970 and is annually celebrated on 16 November, the President received a telegram of congratulations from Ibrahim Hamra, the Chief Rabbi, on behalf of the Religious Council of the Jewish community in Damascus, commending the wisdom and leadership of the President and the generous manner in which the Corrective Movement had treated all sects and religions. The President also received similar letters of congratulation from the Religious Council of the Jewish communities in both Aleppo and Qamishli. 23. In addition to the foregoing, we would also like to point out the following: (a) In Syria, there is no so-called Jewish problem or Jewish question, despite all the politically-motivated campaigns in this regard. (b) In Syria, there is no discrimination or distinction in treatment between citizens on the basis of religion or belief. The law applies to all citizens alike, irrespective of their denomination or creed. (c) Syrian citizens of the Jewish faith are Syrians first and last, and the Syrian Arab Republic will not promulgate legislation granting them special privileges that are not enjoyed by other Syrian citizens. (d) The Syrian authorities are always eager to ensure that citizens do not leave the country to emigrate abroad. Restrictions and specific procedures are imposed on all Syrian citizens who wish to travel abroad, regardless of their religious or confessional beliefs. There are no restrictions on the freedom of movement of Syrian citizens of the Jewish faith or on Jewish girls travelling abroad in order to marry, even though the percentage of males is higher than that of females. (e) Syrian citizens of the Jewish faith enjoy a manifestly high standard of living, and they are all provided with ample opportunities for employment and economic activity. (f) There is no discriminatory entry on the personal documents of Syrian citizens, such as identity cards and passports, since the holder’s religion is not specified on any such documents. (g) The Constitution endeavours to protect personal property and ensure that it is not expropriated. The competent authorities have never confiscated and subsequently given to others any home belonging to a member of the Jewish faith.