Kurdish National Council Calls on Syrian Government to Enshrine Kurdish Rights in the New Constitution

ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council (KNC) in Syria has stressed the necessity of enshrining Kurdish rights in the country’s forthcoming constitution, clarifying that it did not travel to Damascus as a negotiating party, but rather held meetings to demand that Damascus receive a “joint Kurdish delegation.”

Faisal Youssef, a member of the Presidency of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, told Kurdistan 24 that “although the Kurdish National Council in Syria is not a direct party to the recent agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government, it considers this step important and necessary.”

Youssef highlighted the importance of the ceasefire, stating: “This agreement is essential to protect our region from war, destruction, and displacement. We have seen that the outbreak of any new war would pose an ‘existential’ threat to our people. Therefore, we in the Kurdish National Council support this agreement and look forward to transforming this military step into a sustainable political process.”

She explained that the Council’s delegation did not go to Damascus as a negotiating party, but rather held meetings to demand that Damascus receive a “joint Kurdish delegation,” formed as a result of the April 26 conference to represent the Kurdish people in Syria.

Youssef described Presidential Decree No. 13, issued by Ahmad al-Sharaa in mid-January 2026—which included recognition of Kurdish identity and the Kurdish language—as a positive step. However, she added: “This is not sufficient; it must be amended and formally enshrined in the new Syrian constitution to become a guaranteed constitutional right.”

She revealed that the Kurdish National Council delegation presented three core demands to senior Syrian officials in Damascus:

Kurdish Language: Recognition of Kurdish in the Syrian constitution as an official language alongside Arabic, and its adoption as a language of education and instruction.

National Recognition: Enshrining the Kurdish people in the constitution as an original and fundamental component of Syria.

Power-Sharing: Ensuring Kurdish representation not merely as “participants,” but as “genuine partners” in all Syrian state institutions.

Regarding administrative and ministerial positions, Youssef stated: “Kurds are part of Syrian society, and they have the right to play their role in governing the country, assume responsibilities, and hold professional positions in state institutions in order to serve their people.”

Youssef concluded by affirming that the Kurdish National Council will continue its diplomatic and political struggle until the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people are guaranteed in a future Syria.

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