Sanharib Barsoum: Hate speech threatens Syria’s democratic future

Amid the political transformations Syria is witnessing one year after the fall of the Baath regime, calls for national dialogue are increasing, along with the rejection of all forms of incitement and division among the people of the same homeland.

In this context, the member of the Negotiation Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Sanharib Barsoum, congratulated the Syrian people on the first anniversary of the fall of the Baath regime, considering that the country is entering a pivotal phase that requires joint efforts to move toward building a democratic Syria that guarantees rights and freedoms for all its components.

March 10: A Significant Milestone During the Year

Barsoum pointed out that the March 10 agreement signed between the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the Head of the Transitional Government in Damascus, Ahmad al-Sharaa, constitutes an important milestone during the current year, despite the major obstacles and challenges. He affirmed that the agreement includes many clauses that serve the interests of all Syrians.

Obstacle to Any Peaceful Path

Barsoum warned of the rise of hate speech and the fueling of sectarian strife among components, describing it as unacceptable and an obstacle to any genuine peaceful path for rebuilding Syria.

He noted that the parties adopting sectarian rhetoric aim to prolong war and conflicts and achieve narrow interests at the expense of the suffering of the Syrian people.

He called for adopting a moderate and balanced discourse based on accepting the other opinion and consolidating coexistence among all components, due to its positive impact on the country’s future. He also held the transitional government largely responsible for confronting such rhetoric, as it represents the authority entrusted with issuing laws and criminalizing inciters. He criticized the absence of serious measures so far, and even the emergence of some of this rhetoric from figures representing the government itself.

Hate Speech Is Real Danger

In concluding his remarks, Sanharib Barsoum emphasized the importance of dialogue among Syrians to reach comprehensive national understandings. He stressed that the experience achieved in North and East Syria has consolidated a democratic model of civil peace and coexistence among components.

He expressed hope that this model would be generalized across Syria, leading to a state that recognizes ethnic and religious pluralism and adopts democratic, decentralized pluralism as a system of governance, thereby strengthening Syria’s position regionally and internationally.

Observers believe that Syria is going through a critical phase that requires intensified political and societal efforts to confront hate speech and enhance national dialogue tracks, contributing to stability and laying the foundations of a new Syria based on pluralism, democracy, and genuine coexistence among all its components. Hate speech constitutes a real danger that negatively affects social peace and democratic life in Syria.

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ANHA