Lawyers Union in Qamishlo condemns removal of Kurdish from Palaces of Justice nameplates

The Lawyers' Union in Qamishlo organized a protest on Sunday in front of the Palace of Justice, condemning the removal of the Kurdish language from the nameplates of the courthouses in Hasaka and Qamishlo, and demanding official recognition of the Kurdish language within the Syrian constitution.

Dozens of lawyers participated in the protest, expressing their rejection of the marginalization of the Kurdish language within official Syrian institutions, and emphasizing that the Kurdish language represents a legitimate right of the Kurdish people.

During the protest, a statement was read in both Kurdish and Arabic. The Kurdish version was read by lawyer Galal Kasani of the Qamishlo Lawyers' Union, while the Arabic version was read by lawyer Mahmoud Khelo, also a member of the union in the city.

The statement indicated that the Lawyers' Union is closely monitoring the recent events witnessed in Hasaka city and the reactions to the removal of the Kurdish language from the facades of the courthouses in Hasaka and Qamishlo, affirming its respect for the judicial institution and its rejection of any attacks on public spaces or disruption of judicial proceedings.

The statement indicated that the recent positions and statements issued by officials of the Interim Government did not address the core of the problem, but rather focused on what happened recently without addressing the main reasons related to Kurdish language rights.

The statement affirmed that the Kurdish language constitutes an essential part of the social and cultural life of Hasaka city and is protected under Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, in addition to Article 7, Paragraph 3 of the Constitutional Declaration, which guarantees cultural diversity and the linguistic and cultural rights of all Syrians.

The statement also referred to the agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Government on January 29th, which affirmed Kurdish distinctiveness, considering that respect for this right should not remain confined to texts, but should be reflected in practical life and all public facilities.

The Bar Association stressed that the presence of the Kurdish language alongside Arabic does not diminish the status of the Arabic language, but rather expresses the cultural and linguistic diversity that characterizes the Syrian regions.

In conclusion, the statement emphasized that addressing the issue requires serious and responsible dialogue, far away from the language of accusation and escalation, calling for strengthening trust within institutions and consolidating equitable partnership within the framework of the Syrian state and the unity of its institutions.

The statement also called on the Central Bar Association to take into account the distinctiveness of the regions in its statements and positions.

The protest ended with shouting chants emphasizing the importance of the Kurdish language and the need to recognize it within the Kurdish people's legitimate rights.

ANHA