Sit-in in Hasakah demands official recognition of Syriac community, language

Dozens of members of the Syriac community took part on Tuesday in a sit-in outside the Hasakah Governorate building, calling for official recognition of the Syriac people and the Syriac language in Syria.

Participants carried banners with "We call on the Syrian government to recognize the identity and rights of the Syriac people, and to recognize Syriac as an official language," "Syriac is Syria's historical language and a cornerstone of its civilization," and "Syriac gave Syria its name, and it is the state's duty to recognize it as an official language in the Constitution" written on. Protesters also wore traditional Syriac attire, underscoring their commitment to preserving their cultural identity.

During the event, Gabriel Shamoun, a member of the Executive Committee of the Syriac Union Party, stated that the sit-in was intended to demand the national, political, and cultural rights of the Syriac people. He emphasized that these rights are legitimate and form part of the entitlements of the communities that have contributed to shaping Syria's national identity.

Shamoun added that a delegation representing the demonstrators met with the Governor of Hasakah to present their demands, noting that the governor pledged to convey them to the Head of the Interim Government.

He further stressed that recognizing peoples, their cultures, and their languages has become a fundamental principle in modern states. He called for amendments to the Constitutional Declaration and the drafting of a Syrian constitution that guarantees the rights of all components.

At the conclusion of the sit-in, Hasakah Deputy Governor Ahmad Al-Hilali addressed the protesters, affirming that the demands of the Syriac community would be forwarded to the Head of the Interim Government. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of Syria's diverse communities and enhancing their participation in public life.

ANHA