Syrian Democratic Council urges protection of cultural and linguistic rights in new constitution
NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Azhar Ahmed, an official in the Relations Office of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), emphasized the need to safeguard the rights of Syria’s diverse ethnic communities, particularly the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, who have endured significant hardships and made sacrifices during the Syrian crisis.
Ahmed made these remarks during the SDC’s dialogue seminar held at its headquarters in Hasakah, North and East Syria, under the theme Hand in Hand Towards Building a New Syria. The seminar brought together political parties, community activists, human rights defenders, and representatives of religious and ethnic groups from the region.
Addressing Concerns of Marginalized Communities
Ahmed highlighted the ongoing concerns and fears among many ethnic groups, including Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans), Kurds, Alawites, and others, following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad and the emergence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rule in most of the country areas.
He reiterated the SDC’s role as a political umbrella encompassing all political forces, parties, and components in Syria. “The SDC believes that the solution for Syria lies in the active participation of all its people,” Ahmed said, stressing that any national conference or political initiative excluding these groups would fail to yield meaningful results.
Ahmed reaffirmed the SDC’s commitment to ensuring the representation of all communities, including Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans), in the future Syrian constitution and any upcoming national conferences. He noted that the inclusion of diverse voices is critical to building a sustainable and democratic future for Syria.
The SDC’s stance reflects its ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and protect the rights of Syria’s ethnically and religiously diverse population in a post-Assad era.