Co-Chair Nazira Goreya meets with USCIRF Maenza to discuss religious freedom in North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — As part of a series of meetings with officials of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria, Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Nadine Maenza met with Co-Chair of the Executive Council of Gozarto (Jazira) Region Nazira Goreya (Syriac Union Party, SUP) to discuss the issue of religious freedom.

During the meeting, Goreya stressed the importance of USCIRF’s support for a solution to the Syrian crisis and recognition and support of the DAA.

They also discussed the presence of the Syriac people (Assyrians-Arameans-Chaldeans) in North and East Syria and their participation in the DAA, as well as the obstacles they faced.

In a press conference held after the meeting, Maenza pointed out the possibility of the DAA’s participation in a political solution for Syria.

Maenza also visited the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) and met with organizational head Daoud Daoud. Daoud indicated that the meeting was fruitful and focused on religious freedom, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence between the region’s diverse population.

Following the day’s visits, Maenza held another press event in which she stated that the meetings with several Syriac officials were encouraging and that the model of the DAA as a form of inclusive government was becoming increasingly successful and recognized.

On Tuesday, Maenza visited the headquarters of Syriac Union Party and Syriac Cultural Association in Zalin.