Jazira Lawyers Union calls on Ministry of Justice to adopt fair discourse, protect rights

The Lawyers' Union in Jazira issued a statement to the public opinion regarding the recent statement issued by the Ministry of Justice of the Interim Government concerning the Kurdish community's reaction to the removal of the Kurdish language from the signage of the Palace of Justice in Hasaka.

The statement was read in both Kurdish and Arabic by lawyers Mohamed Ferhan and Mohamed Amin Ma'mo in front of the Palace of Justice in Hasaka, in the presence of male and female lawyers.

The statement included, "The Lawyers' Union in Jazira has followed the statement issued by the Ministry of Justice in Damascus regarding the recent events witnessed at the Palace of Justice in Hasaka, and the reactions to the removal of the Kurdish language from the facades of the Palace of Justice in both Qamishlo and Hasaka."

The statement added, "The recent statement did not address the core of the problem and merely focused on what occurred within the judicial facility without addressing the reasons that prompted many residents of the region, including human rights activists, to object to these measures."

The statement emphasized that the Lawyers' Union in Jazira affirms its respect for the judicial institution and its commitment to not disrupting judicial proceedings.

The statement affirmed that the Kurdish language is an essential part of the cultural and social life in Hasaka Governorate, and is protected under Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, as well as under Constitutional Declaration Article No. 7 Paragraph 3, which stipulates that the state guarantees cultural diversity in the Syrian society with all its components and the cultural and linguistic rights of all Syrians.

The statement also noted that the January 29th Agreement affirmed the Kurdish privacy and the necessity of respecting this right, as this respect should not be confined to mere texts; however, it should be openly reflected in institutions and all public facilities.

The statement clarified that the presence of Kurdish language alongside Arabic on nameplates in official institutions does not infringe upon the status of Arabic as an official language; rather, it reflects respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity that characterizes the Syrian region in general and Hasaka Governorate in particular.

It emphasized that justice is not only about protecting buildings and institutions, but also about ensuring fair representation for the people of the region within the judiciary, especially after years of suffering and the marginalization and exclusion of local legal professionals under the policies of the previous regime.

The statement asserted that addressing this issue requires serious and responsible dialogue, free from accusations of treason or escalation, to help strengthen trust in institutions and achieve genuine partnership within the framework of the Syrian state and the unity of its institutions.

The statement called on the Ministry of Justice to adopt a more just and equitable approach that takes into account the privacy and diversity of Syrian regions and promotes the role of the Bar Association in protecting rights, freedoms, and the rule of law.

ANHA