Jurist: Guaranteeing Kurdish rights constitutionally is essential for democratic, pluralistic Syria

As discussions continue regarding Syria’s future and the mechanism for drafting a new constitution, calls are growing for the constitutional recognition of Kurdish rights to ensure acknowledgment of their language, culture, and national identity, alongside guaranteeing genuine participation in state administration and decision-making, based on international laws and conventions related to the rights of peoples and components.

Speaking to ANHA agency, rights advocate and lawyer Dalil Antar from the city of Garkê Legê explained that the Kurdish people have lived on their land since ancient times and are a principal component of the Syrian people, not a foreign population as some attempt to portray them.

He added: “The demands of the Kurds focus on achieving equality and constitutional recognition of their national, cultural, and political rights, foremost among them the mother tongue and Kurdish identity,” noting that it is natural for every people to preserve its language, culture, and identity.

United Nations Charter and Equality Among Peoples

Antar pointed out that the United Nations Charter affirms the principle of equality among peoples and rejects discrimination based on nationality, language, or religion, explaining that Kurds have the right to fully enjoy their rights within Syria, free from marginalization or deprivation.

He added: “Recognizing Kurdish rights does not conflict with the rights of Arabs, Syriacs, or Assyrians; rather, it contributes to strengthening coexistence among Syria’s various components.”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Antar explained that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees peoples the right to preserve their language, culture, and identity, affirming that the Kurdish people have the right to speak their mother tongue and to constitutionally protect the Kurdish language within future Syria.

He noted that respect for cultural and linguistic diversity constitutes a fundamental basis for building a democratic state that embraces all its components.

Equality Before the Law

He emphasized that international laws stress the necessity of equality before the law and prohibit discrimination among citizens based on nationality, religion, or language, indicating that all peoples should enjoy equal rights within the Syrian state.

He also called for the new constitution to include principles of justice and equal rights among the various components, away from any policies of exclusion or marginalization.

Declaration on the Rights of National, Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities

Antar explained that international conventions concerning minority rights stress the need to protect the national, cultural, and linguistic identity of peoples, in addition to guaranteeing their participation in political and social life and state institutions.

He added: “Every people has the right to representation and participation in governing the country and decision-making, in a way that strengthens genuine partnership among all Syrians.”

Antar called for recognizing all Syrian components and guaranteeing their rights within the constitution, stressing that Syria includes Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Assyrians, and others, and that every component has the right to fully enjoy its rights.

He said: “Building a democratic and pluralistic Syria based on partnership, justice, and respect for diversity is the best path toward achieving stability and rebuilding the country.”

ANHA