Rights advocate in Geneva calls for ending occupation; preservation minorities' rights

Human rights defenders and representatives of minorities from various countries took part in the periodic International Forum on Minority Issues, held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva in late November. The event brought together more than 190 representatives of member states and over 500 participants from community components and civil society institutions, including 20 representatives of the Kurds from North and East Syria.

Among the participants was Kurdish lawyer and human rights advocate Hussein Nasso, originally from the occupied city of Afrin. ANHA agency conducted an online interview with him to learn more about the forum and how the United Nations is engaging with the relevant issues.

Nasso explained that his participation this year aimed to shed light on the situation of Syrians following the collapse of the previous regime and the rise of what he described as the authority of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,” formerly al-Jabhet Nusra, as well as the attempts to present a distorted image of the Syrian reality to the international community.

Violations in Occupied Areas and the Suffering of the Displaced

In his speech during the plenary session, Nasso focused on the situation in occupied areas such as Afrin, Serekaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad), noting that Kurdish civilians have been subjected to grave violations since 2018. He cited reports by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and Amnesty International, which described these violations as amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He called for ending the occupation and ensuring the safe return of Kurdish displaced people, many of whom continue to live in tents similar to other displaced communities in Syria.

Criticism of the New Constitutional Declaration and a Call for Building a Democratic, Federal Syria

Nasso also addressed the new constitutional declaration, describing it as “racist and exclusionary” because it entrenches one-man rule, marginalizes non-Arab communities, and violates the rights of non-Muslims through provisions related to the religion of the state and its president.

He urged the international community to support the process of building a new, democratic, federal, and decentralized Syria that guarantees equality and prevents any component from erasing the identity of another.

Support from Minority Representatives and Criticism of the Government Delegation

Nasso’s remarks were met with applause and support from the minority representatives participating in the forum. Meanwhile, the delegation of the Interim Government was accused of playing an “intelligence role” during the sessions and attempting to photograph participants.

He reiterated his call for the United Nations to prevent government representatives from using the power of veto in this forum which is fundamentally intended for minorities or to strip them of that right to ensure that the voices of communities are not silenced.

Recommendations Submitted to the Human Rights Council and the Security Council

The Kurdish rights advocate noted that the forum’s recommendations are later compiled and submitted to the Human Rights Council and then to the Security Council. He considered the ability to convey the voices of Syrian communities to representatives of more than 190 countries “an important development after years in which gathering even a few dozen people for an ordinary protest was difficult.”

He also praised the “notable” Kurdish presence this year, with over 20 representatives from North and East Syria focusing on the issue of displaced people and their safe return, as well as raising concerns about the lack of recognition of educational certificates issued in Autonomous Administration areas.

Protection of Minorities and Accountability for Violating States

According to Nasso, participants called for practical measures to protect minorities, including respecting the right of peoples to self-determination and sanctioning states that violate the rights of communities up to suspending or expelling them from the United Nations in severe cases.

He also criticized the UN for “hosting individuals involved in violations,” referring to its engagement with the Interim Government in Syria, which he described as “a political and moral mistake.”

A Call to the Autonomous Administration: No Negotiations Before the Return of the Displaced

In conclusion, Nasso urged the Autonomous Administration, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Syrian Democratic Council not to include the issue of displaced people as a negotiating item. Rather, he stressed that safe return must be a fundamental condition “a test of the Interim Government’s goodwill” before entering any negotiation process.

ANHA