NUCAN ARAS

Hasakah- Syria has been witnessing a series of change and transformation since the fall of the Baathist regime on December 8, 2024. Syria’s new interim government led by jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) signed a constitutional declaration that ignores diversity in Syria and endangers the rights of its ethnic groups.

The constitutional declaration ignores people from different identities, said Ebir Hesaf, coordinating member of the Syrian Women’s Council. “Following the fall of the Assad regime, a new era began in Syria, causing chaos, crisis and full of uncertainties.”

‘This constitutional declaration is a repetition of the Baathist regime’

The declaration ignores many cultural and ethnic diversities in the country and disappoints people, Ebir Hesaf stressed and said, “This constitutional declaration is like a repetition of the Baathist regime.” Ebir Hesaf commented on the critical developments in the country for three months, “These developments have been met with fear by the people. The constitution must be redrafted to ensure the unity of Syria and protect its diversities. The declaration poses a threat to Syria's deep-rooted history and its cultural diversity.”

‘The rights of all components must be secured’

The cultural diversity and existence of all ethnic and religious identities in Syria must be protected, Ebir Hesaf emphasized and concluded her speech as follows:

“Even though the constitutional declaration is an interim declaration, it will form a basis for the future of the new Syria. Strict sharia law is imposed on society, especially on women. In addition, the rights of the Kurdish people, ethnic and religious identities remain unclear in the constitution. We hope that Syria’s interim government will review the declaration. They should secure and protect the existence and rights of all identities in Syria.”