Kurds Push for Equal Rights After Assad’s Fall in Syria \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Kurdish groups in Syria gathered in Qamishli to call for a democratic, decentralized state that guarantees Kurdish ethnic rights. Following Assad’s ouster, Kurds seek to protect cultural and political gains made during Syria’s civil war. Leaders emphasized human rights, women’s rights, and equality for all citizens.
Quick Looks
- 400 Kurdish representatives met in Qamishli to unify their demands.
- Kurds call for a decentralized, democratic Syria guaranteeing ethnic rights.
- Syrian Democratic Forces, PYD, and Kurdish National Council participated.
- Kurds were marginalized under 54 years of Assad family rule.
- New constitution demands protection for human and women’s rights.
- Kurdish groups emphasized equality for all citizens, not just Kurds.
- Post-Assad goals include local governance without full independence.
- Kurdish leaders from Turkey and Iraq also attended the meeting.
Deep Look
In a pivotal moment for Syria’s Kurdish community, around 400 representatives from the country’s leading Kurdish groups convened Saturday in Qamishli to outline their shared vision for a post-Assad Syria. Their message was clear: they seek a democratic, decentralized state that formally recognizes the ethnic and cultural rights of Syria’s Kurdish population.
The conference comes roughly a month after Syria’s newly established authorities signed a landmark agreement with Kurdish-led officials in the northeast, signaling a possible path forward for Kurdish representation in the nation’s future political landscape.
Kurdish Struggle for Recognition
Under the Assad family’s five-decade rule, Syria’s Kurdish minority, making up about 10% of the prewar population, endured systemic marginalization. Thousands were stripped of citizenship, denied basic rights, and officially misclassified as Arabs. Kurdish culture and language were suppressed, and political participation was severely restricted.
However, during Syria’s civil war, Kurds carved out an autonomous enclave in the northeast, establishing their own political and military structures with considerable success. The fall of Bashar Assad in December has opened a critical window for the Kurdish community to secure and expand those hard-won gains.
Saturday’s gathering — attended by influential groups like the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and the Kurdish National Council — culminated in a collective call for a “fair and comprehensive” solution to the Kurdish question within Syria.
Vision for a Democratic and Decentralized Syria
In the final statement issued after the one-day conference, Kurdish leaders urged the formation of a democratic, decentralized Syrian state that would enshrine Kurdish national rights in the new constitution. The declaration also emphasized alignment with international human rights standards, including strong protections for women’s rights and full participation of women in public institutions.
The Kurdish groups stressed that their vision was not one of separatism. Rather than seeking full autonomy with a separate parliament and government, Kurdish officials made it clear they want to manage their day-to-day affairs within a decentralized national framework. Their goal is to ensure Kurdish culture, language, and identity are preserved and respected within a united Syria.
The document also called for equality for all Syrians, pledging to avoid marginalization based on ethnicity, religion, or gender — a sharp contrast to the policies under the Assad regime.
Regional Kurdish Solidarity
Adding regional weight to the event, representatives from Kurdish communities in neighboring Turkey and Iraq attended the meeting. Their presence signaled broader Kurdish solidarity across the region, at a time when Kurdish rights movements face increasing pressure in countries like Turkey, where Kurdish political activism is heavily restricted.
Although the meeting focused on Syria’s internal future, it also carried significant regional implications, suggesting that Kurdish leaders aim to leverage international alliances and solidarity movements to press their case on the global stage.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the hopeful tone of the meeting, major challenges loom. Achieving constitutional recognition for Kurdish rights will require agreement from Syria’s broader political factions, many of which remain fragmented and suspicious of Kurdish autonomy efforts. Additionally, tensions with Arab, Assyrian, and other ethnic groups in northeast Syria could complicate efforts to create a truly inclusive postwar government.
Moreover, external powers — including Turkey, Iran, and Russia — have a vested interest in shaping Syria’s future in ways that may not align with Kurdish aspirations.
Nevertheless, the conference in Qamishli marked an important step toward Kurdish political consolidation at a critical time in Syria’s history. The Kurdish leadership’s unified call for decentralization and rights protection highlights their readiness to play a central role in rebuilding a new, more inclusive Syria after decades of authoritarian rule.
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