Nadine Maenza commends religious freedom in North and East Syria to SyriacPress newsdesk

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — In a conversation with our news desk, President of International Religious Freedom Secretariat and former Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Nadine Maenza, shared her insights from her visit to North and East Syria and her meetings with officials from the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA).

During the conversation, Maenza commended the city of Raqqa for its progress in establishing a pluralistic society that guarantees coexistence between all ethnic and religious groups and includes women from all backgrounds in governance.

She also expressed gratitude and happiness for the opportunity to visit the Syriac Union Party (SUP) and be briefed about the activities of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people. Maenza expressed her wish to help empower the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people to live peacefully in the region, develop their institutions, and establish a political, economic, and social presence, despite the Turkish attacks undermining security in the region.

Additionally, she emphasized the importance of informing the American and global public about the success of the DAA’s inclusive model of governance. The DAA structures ensure the participation of all ethnic and religious communities. Maenza appreciated the commitment of North and East Syria’s various ethnic components to the development of the DAA, despite the challenges they face and attempts to undermine coexistence.

Regarding the February earthquake that devastated the region, Maenza offered her condolences to the victims and their families, particularly in Cafrin (Afrin) and Sheikh Maqsoud. She praised the solidarity and aid that the people of North and East Syria provided to the afflicted.

Maenza stated that the DAA model is the best hope for ensuring that minority populations, including the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, can live a secure and prosperous life in their homeland.