Rights of all components in Syria must be protected

The Syriac people, like other ethnic groups, are demanding protection of their rights in a future Syria so that each community can preserve its language and culture.

In this context, Thaer Ishaq, one of the officials of the Syriac Cultural Association in Tirbespiyê, stated that the rights of all components in a future Syria must be guaranteed and their presence enshrined in the constitution.

Ishaq pointed out that the Syriac component has faced many difficulties throughout history in areas such as culture and language. He added: “What must be protected above all is culture, because culture reflects our history and identity. Therefore, preserving culture is essential.”

He explained that as Syriacs, they seek to obtain their rights, adding: “We too, as a Syriac community, want to gain our rights in Syria like all the peoples currently living there. In Syria, Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs and others live together. We hope that everyone will take their place in building the future Syria and that the culture of every ethnic group will be recognized in the constitution.”

Ishaq noted that the culture of the Syriac people has suffered loss throughout history, adding: “The phase we are going through now is sensitive, as the region is witnessing new developments day after day. Therefore, it is the right of every individual to live with their language and culture, especially when drafting the constitution. We hope that all components can live safely with their colors and cultures.”

He also referred to Decree No. 13 issued by the head of the Interim Government concerning the Kurdish people, saying: “As Syriacs, we welcome the issuance of this decree and hope that its implementation will be enshrined in the constitution.”

Ishaq continued: “We have seen how all components live together; for example, in Tirbespiyê, all communities continue their lives together and have achieved many gains collectively. We hope this becomes a model applied everywhere.”

He concluded: “When we see Kurdish people speaking Syriac or Syriacs speaking Kurdish, we feel very happy, and we hope this will increase across the country. Adopting culture should not be limited to the culture of one community alone, but rather the culture of all peoples should be embraced.”

ANHA