Cultural Recognition Without Political Rights: Syria’s Decree on Kurds

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Rojava.

Following mounting international pressure and a series of crises faced by the Syrian Interim Government in the aftermath of events and attacks it carried out against Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo, the Syrian president issued a presidential decree addressing the status of Kurdish citizens in Syria.

The decree focuses on the cultural and educational rights of Kurds, while making no reference to their political or national rights—long regarded as among the core demands of Syria’s Kurdish population. Whether the Syrian Interim Government will move to implement the provisions of the decree, or whether it will remain largely symbolic, remains an open question. The decree states as follows:

Article 1:
Syrian citizens of Kurdish origin are recognised as an essential and integral component of the Syrian people. Their cultural and linguistic identity is affirmed as an inseparable element of Syria’s unified and diverse national identity.

Article 2:
The state commits to protecting cultural and linguistic diversity and guarantees the right of Kurdish citizens to preserve their heritage and cultural expressions, as well as to develop their mother tongue, within the framework of national sovereignty.

Article 3:
The Kurdish language is recognised as a national language and may be taught in public and private schools in areas where Kurds constitute a significant proportion of the population, either as part of the elective curriculum or through cultural and educational activities.

Article 4:
All exceptional laws and measures arising from the 1962 census in Al-Hasakah Governorate are hereby repealed. Syrian nationality shall be granted to all citizens of Kurdish origin residing in Syria, including those whose births were not officially registered, with full equality in rights and obligations.

Article 5:
Newroz (21 March) is designated an official paid public holiday throughout the Syrian Arab Republic, recognised as a national occasion symbolising spring and fraternity.

Article 6:
State media and educational institutions are required to adopt an inclusive national discourse. Any form of discrimination or exclusion based on ethnicity or language is prohibited by law, and incitement to ethnic discord shall be punishable under existing legislation.

Article 7:
The relevant ministries and authorities shall issue the necessary implementing regulations to enforce the provisions of this decree, each within its respective remit.

Article 8:
This decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the date of its issuance.


PUKMEDIA