Hasakah youth call for greater role in decision-making

Against this backdrop, youth are emerging as one of the groups most affected by and involved in the events that have taken place in the country. This places responsibility on them to contribute to building a new Syria, promoting coexistence and rejecting hate speech.

In this context, ANHA Agency conducted a number of interviews with young people in Hasakah to hear their views on the role of youth during the transitional phase and their responsibilities in shaping Syria’s future.

Rejecting hate speech and promoting civil peace

Sobhi Malki, head of the Relations Office of the Progressive Syriac Youth Union, said the main role of young people at this stage is to reject hate speech and preserve civil peace.

He noted that young people are among the groups most exposed to hate speech, which can fuel divisions and tensions among Syria’s communities.

Malki said Syrians should live peacefully alongside one another, stressing that Syria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity should not be a source of conflict, but rather become a source of strength and trust among citizens.

He stressed the need for greater and stronger youth representation in state institutions, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior, service institutions and other state bodies. He noted that young people had made significant sacrifices in recent years and were at the forefront of events that led to the fall of the regime.

Youth as the Cornerstone of Syria’s Future

Mahmoud Shibo, a member of the General Council of the Democratic Youth Council of Syria, said young people should be a key pillar of the new Syria and its constitution, and should participate in shaping the country’s future and defending the rights of all its components.

Shibo noted that young people were among those who started the Syrian revolution, stressing that they must now take responsibility for advocating for the rights of all communities in Syria.

“Work must be done to reject hate speech, particularly on social media,” Shibo said, calling on the relevant authorities to take steps to curb its spread.

Youth Participation in Decision-Making

For his part, Salman Nabhan, co-chair of the Democratic Youth Council of Syria, said the current stage represents an opportunity to involve young people more actively in building Syria.

He pointed out that young people possess experience and capabilities in cultural, economic and social fields that enable them to contribute to various sectors.

He considered greater communication and closer ties among young people from different communities an important factor in strengthening social cohesion and ending hate speech.

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ANHA