Armenian Union Party sees DAA project as genuine way out of Syrian crisis

Amid the political transformations unfolding in Syria and the growing demands of Syrian components for recognition of their rights and fair participation in the country’s future, calls continue for building an inclusive democratic state based on pluralism and respect for national and religious particularities. In this context, ANHA agency met with the Secretary-General of the Armenian Union Party, Emad Tetrayan, to shed light on the issues of the Armenian people and the suffering of Syrian components in general.

A Historic Step for the Armenian People

At the outset, Emad Tetrayan spoke about the convening of the party’s founding conference, stressing that it constitutes a historic step for the Armenian people at home and in the diaspora. He explained that the conference comes within the framework of protecting the dispersed Armenian people, who have historically been subjected to genocide and grave violations, emphasizing that the party continues its struggle to unify the Armenian ranks and defend all oppressed peoples.

Tetrayan clarified that the demands of the Armenian Union Party are directed at Syria’s transitional government, calling for the recognition of the rights of all Syrian components. He stressed that the Armenian people are an inseparable part of the Syrian people, alongside Kurds, Syriac-Assyrians, Druze, and Alawites, all of whom constitute fundamental pillars of the Syrian national fabric.

He noted that the transitional government’s continued adherence to its current mindset prevents it from granting genuine rights to all components or reflects a lack of willingness to do so. He pointed out that a government which once described the Ba'ath regime as defunct is today practicing policies that are no different in essence, and in some cases even more extreme.

Tetrayan called for an end to violations and acts of extermination against Syrian components and peoples, and for the recognition of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria AANES as an integral part of the Syrian state. He reaffirmed that the Armenian Union Party views the DAA project as a genuine way out and real solution to the Syrian crisis, as it guarantees the rights of all components, religions, and sects.

No to a Mentality of Revenge

The Secretary-General stressed the need for the transitional government to adopt the mentality of an inclusive state, not a mentality of revenge. He criticized retaliatory acts and the looting and pillaging that accompany the entry of forces into certain governorates, emphasizing that the role of the army should be to protect citizens and safeguard their security and dignity not to assault them. Violating citizens’ dignity, he said, renders any authority no different from the defunct regime against which Syrians rose up.

Tetrayan also affirmed that the Armenian Union Party demands official recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed against the Armenian people by the Turkish state, through international pressure, and advocates for the cause of Western Armenia, alongside supporting the national and religious rights of the Armenian people.

Regarding Syria’s new constitution, he explained that the party has sent clear messages and is engaged in dialogue to ensure recognition of the rights of all components, guarantee the national and religious rights of the Armenian people, protect Christian places of worship, and provide protection for Christians in areas under the control of the transitional government similar to the arrangements in place in North and East Syria.

In conclusion, Emad Tetrayan stated that the party’s primary goal is to preserve the unity of the Syrian people, call on the transitional government to recognize all people of the region, and ensure equal rights for all components and religions, thereby achieving justice and equality and building an inclusive democratic Syrian state.