Since its establishment, the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) has been guided by its commitment to peace, democracy, and nonviolent action, and by the conviction that sustainable peace in Syria requires dismantling dictatorship and addressing the causes of violence and exclusion. To achieve just, peaceful, and long-term solutions, CCSD worked for an inclusive political processes that involve local communities and representatives of Syria’s diverse population, to address multiple, interrelated issues, using dialogue and peacebuilding, and includes:
- Guaranteeing the constitutional rights of all ethnic groups, including the Kurdish people, with full recognition and respect for their distinct identities.
- Ensuring the constitution respects freedom of religion and beliefs, recognizing Syria’s diverse religions, sects, and communities, and safeguarding the security, safety, equality, and rights of all groups.
- Guaranteeing women’s constitutional rights, ensuring full equality before the law, and addressing longstanding patterns of discrimination, exclusion, and violence.
In light of the military escalation, especially in the Kurdish-majority areas in Syria, the Center for Civil Society and Democracy unequivocally rejects military actions that put civilians at risk. Building a safe, democratic, and prosperous future for Syria is only possible by constitutionally recognizing and upholding the legitimate rights of all components of Syrian society, including the Kurdish people, and by including all Syrian components in decision-making through responsible, inclusive political dialogue.
CCSD places the utmost importance on achieving a just and comprehensive resolution to the Kurdish issue, recognizing it as a cornerstone of Syrian national identity and integral to Syria’s future stability. Decades without a fair solution have exacerbated crises, demonstrating that prolonging the conflict only fuels further violence and entrenches marginalization. CCSD values the immense sacrifices of the Kurdish people alongside many Syrians in the fight against ISIS to defend Syria, the region, and global security. These sacrifices form part of Syria’s national memory and can serve as a foundation for partnership, and trust-building.
CCSD recommends addressing the deep-rooted causes of the conflict by building respect, trust, and understanding between communities; this is a necessary step towards drafting a new social and political contract that eliminates all forms of exclusion and discrimination. Inclusive democratic governance and decentralization represent realistic and practical solutions for addressing the long-term consequences of Syria’s prolonged conflict, both in Kurdish regions and in other historically marginalized areas.
Foundations and Guiding Principles for Resolving the Kurdish Issue
- International Human Rights Framework: We emphasize that any solution to the Kurdish issue must be firmly grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)and on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), guaranteeing the cultural, political, and civil rights of all, and ensuring full citizenship without discrimination.
- National Unity Through Diversity: A just solution reinforces national cohesion by recognizing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity as a source of strength and enrichment, while guaranteeing the rights of all communities within a democratic, decentralized state that respects the distinct identities of every group.
- Sustainable Regional Peace: We believe that a fair and just resolution of the Kurdish issue can reduce regional tensions and transform the area from a zone of conflict and external interference into a space for cooperation, development, and peaceful coexistence.
Call to Action on the Kurdish Issue
Based on the above, CCSD calls for:
- Immediate cessation of all military operations to ensure the protection of civilians, preserve social cohesion and critical infrastructure, and prevent displacement or any attempts at demographic manipulation.
- Initiation of inclusive, responsible political dialogue that places the Kurdish issue at the center of national solutions, as a matter of rights and citizenship, not merely security, and ensures the meaningful participation of Kurdish representatives and local communities.
- Guaranteeing equality, rights, genuine national partnership, and respect for human dignity as the foundation of unity and stability, and building the Syrian state that we dream of.
- Within the framework of Syrian national unity, recognition of the right of local populations to govern their areas through democratically elected civil institutions that reflect the community’s will, local needs, and respect their distinct cultural and social particularities.
- Entrusting responsibility for security and civilian protection to local forces operating under clear professional and human-rights standards, ensuring both community confidence and the prevention of abuses.
- Taking immediate measures to build trust with Kurdish communities with the intention of reducing tensions and protecting civilians from bearing the cost of further conflict. Recommended actions include halting incendiary rhetoric, acknowledging Kurdish sacrifices in defeating ISIS, guaranteeing political and cultural rights, and providing a safe environment for civil and political engagement.
We call on all Syrian, regional, and international actors to support democratic, decentralized governance grounded in human rights and the protection of all communities, to support transitional justice that prevents the recurrence of abuses, and to support civil society organizations, women, youth, and local communities to build bridges, recognize our shared history and existing relationships, and counter hate speech.
In conclusion, CCSD urges all actors to work and collaborate to build a sustainable just peace – one in which every citizen experiences the full protection of their rights and dignity under the rule of law and through democratic practice.
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