Members of Syria’s Kurdish community have recently been compelled to register their ethnicity as ‘Syrian Arab’ at nationality application centers in al-Hasakah, raising alarms among Kurdish activists and the Network of Statelessness Victims in al-Hasakah (NSVH). This issue has been recorded in several areas, including Qamishli and al-Malikiyah. Despite Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Decree No. 13 of 2026, which acknowledges Kurdish citizens as an integral part of the Syrian identity and promises to protect their cultural rights, the lack of an option to register as Kurdish has sparked concerns regarding the government’s adherence to its own legislation. NSVH argues that this practice contradicts the decree’s objectives and infringes on the right to self-identify, potentially leading to indirect discrimination against the Kurdish population. A meeting between Hasakah Governor Nour al-Din Ahmad and Syrian Civil Affairs Director-General Abdullah Abdullah focused on addressing the citizenship process for Kurds, as reported by state media.
Why It Matters
The forced registration of Kurds as ‘Syrian Arab’ highlights ongoing tensions between the Syrian government and the Kurdish community, which has historically faced marginalization. The Kurdish population in Syria, estimated to be around 1.5 million, has sought recognition and rights within the broader national framework, especially following the civil war that began in 2011. Decree No. 13 of 2026 was intended to address past injustices, yet the recent incidents suggest a failure to implement its provisions effectively. This situation raises significant questions about the Syrian government’s commitment to promoting a diverse national identity that includes all ethnic groups, particularly in light of international human rights standards that advocate for the right to self-identify.
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