In a historic move, a presidential decree has been issued in Syria recognizing the cultural and linguistic rights of Kurds and granting them Syrian citizenship. The decree, a first of its kind since the establishment of the Syrian Republic, has sparked widespread reaction across social media, with some hailing it as the end of historical injustice while others demand broader constitutional guarantees.
President Ahmed al-Share’s decree, issued Friday, acknowledges the Kurdish cultural and linguistic identity as an integral part of the Syrian national identity. It also permits the teaching of the Kurdish language in schools within predominantly Kurdish areas.
The decree effectively nullifies the exceptional measures associated with the 1962 census in the Al-Hasakah governorate. It grants Syrian citizenship to all residents of Kurdish origin, including those previously unregistered and denied official recognition by the state. Furthermore, Nowruz, the Kurdish New Year, is now recognized as an official national holiday.
Key provisions of the decree include:
- Recognition of Kurdish cultural and linguistic identity.
- Allowance for Kurdish language instruction in schools.
- Granting of Syrian citizenship to Kurds, including the unregistered.
- Official recognition of Nowruz as a national holiday.
- A ban on all forms of discrimination and nationalistic incitement.
The decree, published in the official gazette, is effective immediately. It represents a turning point in addressing the situation of Syrian Kurds, who reside in several governorates, including Al-Hasakah, Aleppo, Latakia, and Damascus. Under the previous Ba’ath regime, they were deprived of their cultural rights, including the use of their language and the celebration of their holidays.
The 1962 Al-Hasakah census, conducted in a single day with stringent requirements, mandated that Kurds prove residency in Syria prior to 1945. This resulted in hundreds of thousands being denied citizenship, creating two categories: ‘foreigners’ (Kurds stripped of citizenship but registered as foreign nationals) and the unregistered (those with no records in official civil registries).
Following the issuance of the presidential decree, celebrations erupted in Kurdish areas of Syria, reflecting joy at the end of decades of deprivation and marginalization. The event has also generated significant discussion and debate across social media platforms.
DZWatch will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this evolving situation.
