Huge crowds in Hasaka hand over demands list to governorate on Kurdish language

Hasaka city witnessed a massive public march on Thursday, marking the International Kurdish Language Day on May 15th, in which thousands of residents, members of institutions, councils, and youth and women's movements, along with delegations from Derbasiyah and Tell Tamer, and residents of Serê Kaniyê and Washokani camps participated, all demanding the right to education in their mother tongue.

The march began at al-Bironi Bridge in Hasaka city, with participants carrying banners with "The progress of language is the progress of life," "with my language, I live," "My language is my existence," "It is my right to study in my language," "Knowing our language is knowing our existence," "Learning in our mother tongue is our natural and fundamental right," and "Our language is our identity," emphasizing their commitment to their linguistic identity and their continued peaceful struggle to achieve their cultural rights.

Upon reaching the Hasaka Governorate building, the march transformed into a public rally during which a statement was read in both Arabic and Kurdish by Suleiman Khalil; the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party in Derbasiyah, and Jinda Ahmed; the administrator at the Teachers' Training Institute.

The statement included, "On the occasion of Kurdish Language Day, we proudly recall this ancient language, which throughout history has shaped the identity of our people, their culture and struggle, and remains the primary repository of their collective memory, reflecting the depth of their civilizational and human belonging. The Kurdish language is not merely a means of communication; it is a living spirit that expresses the will for freedom and embodies a long history of resilience in the face of attempts at erasure and denial, which have failed to break the will of our people or wrest their language from their conscience."

The statement added, "The Kurdish language has been the target of exclusion and marginalization policies for decades, but it has remained alive thanks to our people's adherence to it and their continuous struggle to preserve, teach, and pass it on from generation to generation. This confirms that language is not just a tool, but a matter of existence, identity, and dignity."

It emphasized, "Protecting and developing the Kurdish language is an integral part of our democratic project, which is based on respect for cultural diversity and the promotion of co-existence among all components of society. A free society can only be built on the foundation of mutual recognition of languages and cultures, and guaranteeing the right of every component to express itself and its identity without exclusion or discrimination. Language is a natural and inherent right of every people, and its recognition and respect are not merely a cultural requirement, but rather a fundamental pillar in building a free, just, and democratic society based on the principles of equality and social justice."

It explained that "establishing the Kurdish language in all aspects of public life is a crucial step in Syria's democratic transition. It added that guaranteeing explicit constitutional recognition of the Kurdish language and its adoption as an official language alongside the country's other languages is a national imperative that cannot be postponed. This is considered the cornerstone for securing the linguistic and cultural rights of the Kurdish people and protecting it from any future infringement or marginalization."

It confirmed that "the upcoming constitution must reflect the reality of linguistic diversity in Syria and clearly stipulate the status of the Kurdish language, ensuring its use in state institutions, education, administration, and the judiciary, and guaranteeing its complete freedom of use in public life."

It pointed out that neglecting the Kurdish language in such a sovereign institution does not reflect the true diversity that characterizes Syria, nor is it consistent with the sacrifices made by the various components of our people to build a shared future. We believe that respecting linguistic diversity in official institutions is not a mere formality, but rather a genuine expression of the political will to build a state for all its citizens, a state that recognizes all its languages and cultures as part of its national richness, not as a burden. The more the presence of national languages is strengthened in the public sphere, the more trust is fostered among the components of society, and the more the foundations of true national unity are solidified.

The statement affirmed, "While we appreciate the resumption of work by service and sovereign institutions, and reiterate our support for efforts and agreements aimed at facilitating citizens' affairs and enhancing stability, we believe that establishing the Kurdish language in the public sphere, including official institutions, constitutes a fundamental step towards enshrining the principle of genuine partnership. It strengthens national sovereignty rather than diminishing it, as true sovereignty rests on embracing all components of the nation without exception. We also affirm that recognizing the Kurdish language as an official language in Syria is a national and historical imperative, inextricably linked to building a democratic, pluralistic state that respects the rights of all its components and guarantees their effective participation in political, cultural, and social life."

The statement emphasized that including this recognition in the future Syrian constitution with unambiguous and unequivocal terms, is the true guarantee for the protection and continuity of the Kurdish language, and provides it with the legal framework that ensures its development and strengthens its presence in all state institutions. This constitutional recognition constitutes a fundamental step towards achieving historical justice and enshrining the principle of equality among all components of Syrian society. It affirms that the future Syria is a state for all its citizens without exception. We emphasize that the rights of the Kurdish people, foremost among them cultural and linguistic rights, are a distinctly Syrian national issue, and lasting stability cannot be achieved without their fair and clear recognition in the future Syrian constitution.

The statement reiterated, "On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to continuing our work to revive and develop our language in all aspects of life, from education to culture and media, and to reinforce its presence in academic and educational institutions, passing it on to future generations in its authentic spirit and humanistic values. We also affirm our support for all initiatives that contribute to the development of the Kurdish language and enrich its scientific and cultural content, keeping pace with the demands of the times while preserving its authenticity."

The statement, on this occasion, saluted all writers, intellectuals, teachers, and activists who have dedicated their efforts to serving the Kurdish language and contributing to its preservation despite all challenges. It also recalled with utmost respect the sacrifices of the strugglers who protected and defended this language in the darkest of times.

 The statement called upon all Syrians, in all their diversity, to embrace the concept of a democratic national state based on neutrality towards all national, religious, and cultural affiliations, work together to end policies of discrimination and denial, and establish the principles of justice and equality, thereby guaranteeing the unity and strength of Syrian society and laying the foundation for a shared future based on mutual respect and genuine partnership.

In conclusion, the demands of Hasaka people, as outlined in the statement, were submitted to the governorate to be handed over to the head of the Interim Government, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The statement included,

"To the Honorable President of the Republic,

With greetings and respect,

We, the Kurdish people of Syria, address this letter to you, hoping that you will consider with justice and fairness a fundamental right of ours, namely, the official recognition of the Kurdish language in Syria.

The Kurdish language is not merely a means of communication; it is an identity, a history, and an ancient culture that dates back thousands of years, spoken by millions of citizens in Syria. The Kurdish people have been, and still are, an integral part of the Syrian social fabric.

Recognizing the Kurdish language and allowing its teaching and use in schools, cultural institutions, and the media is a crucial step towards strengthening national co-existence and equality among all components of Syrian society.

It also contributes to building a state based on respect for diversity and guaranteeing the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Therefore, we demand the following:

Official recognition of the Kurdish language as a principal language alongside other languages.

The official inclusion of the Kurdish language in schools and universities.

Protection of the Kurdish language from marginalization, prohibition, or distortion.

The use of the Kurdish language in government institutions, courts, and official departments.

Writing the names of cities, institutions, and signs in Kurdish beside Arabic.

Support for Kurdish media, culture, and art in the mother tongue.

The establishment of academic and research centers for the development of the Kurdish language.

Guaranteeing the right of children to learn in their mother tongue without discrimination.

Respect for Kurdish identity and culture as an integral part of the region's history.

Ending policies of denial, Arabization, or any policy aimed at marginalizing the Kurdish language.

We believe that justice, equality, and respect for diversity are the foundation of peoples' unity and the stability of states.

With highest regards."

ANHA