Union of Lawyers in NE Syria condemns Damascus Bar Association statement

The Co-Presidency of the Union of Lawyers in NE Syria issued a statement to the public, affirming its commitment to Syria’s unity in land and people, and rejecting what was stated in the "Central Bar Association in Damascus" statement. They described it as "a deviation from signed understandings and an incitement to hate speech and division."

The union began its statement by congratulating the Syrian people on Christmas and the Feast of Christ, wishing peace, security, and prosperity to all Syrians. The statement highlighted the "dangerous positions" in the Damascus Bar Association’s statement, criticizing it for inciting hatred.

The union said the Damascus statement is part of schemes targeting Syria’s unity in government, administration, and society, and constitutes a clear violation of the March 10 agreement, brokered under international guarantors, between the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the Transitional Government head, Ahmad Al-Sharaa.

The statement emphasized that the Autonomous Administration of NE Syria is an integral part of a pluralistic, decentralized Syria, and that its prior approval of the agreement was a goodwill gesture to advance negotiations under agreed terms and international supervision.

The Union of Lawyers stressed that the Damascus Bar Association’s statement carries sectarian tones, promoting hatred and resentment, which contradicts the principles of the legal profession, which are based on defending justice, equality, ethics, and serving society.

The union also warned of the danger of the accusation of disloyalty in the Damascus statement, stressing that the concept of "high treason" under Syrian law does not apply to lawyers working in Northeast Syria, who are part of a united Syrian homeland and have never participated in sectarian rhetoric.

Finally, the Union reaffirmed its full commitment to the March 10 agreement, rejecting reciprocal retaliation, and urged the Damascus Bar Association to elevate its rhetoric and adhere to the agreement terms to help bridge divisions and maintain the unity of the professional body and the Syrian national fabric.

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ANHA