The Kurdish Unity Conference (KUC), held in Qamishli on April 26, brought together over 400 representatives from various Kurdish political parties and organizations in Syria. The conference concluded with a significant resolution to form a joint Kurdish delegation that will soon begin negotiations with the Syrian government in Damascus. The goal is to secure a “decentralized, democratic” state, offering a long-term solution to “the Kurdish issue” in Syria.
A Unified Kurdish Vision for Syria’s Future
At the conference, the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) played central roles in drafting a comprehensive political vision for the Kurdish people. The final statement, delivered by KNC head Muhammad Ismail and translated into Kurdish by PYD member Fawza Yusuf, outlined a clear call for a decentralized governance model that respects the “autonomy” of various Syrian regions.
The statement emphasized the need for a “just solution” to the “Kurdish issue,” including the recognition of Kurdish language and culture. It also called for a Syria that honors its ethnic and religious diversity, with full constitutional rights for all Syrians.
Key Demands and Proposed Reforms
The conference’s final communiqué listed several demands aimed at addressing Syria’s ongoing political and social challenges. Among these demands was a parliamentary system supporting political pluralism, ensures the peaceful transfer of power, and maintains the separation of powers. The statement also stressed the importance of a Syrian constitution that guarantees the rights of all Syrian components, including religious and ethnic minorities.
The Kurdish delegation highlighted the need for religious neutrality in the state and called for the official recognition of Yazidism. Moreover, the conference underscored the urgency of reversing demographic engineering policies, such as Hafez al-Assad’s 1973 “Arab Belt” project.
International Support and Regional Cooperation
In addition to local participants, the conference saw the participation of a US representative and an envoy from the Kurdistan Region’s President Masoud Barzani. Hamid Darbandi, Barzani’s representative, voiced support for a “pluralistic, democratic Syria,” and reinforcing the importance of Kurdish unity.
The conference also attracted Kurdish political figures from across the region, including representatives from Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria’s Kurdish-dominated areas of Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, and Azaz.
The delegation’s primary task will be to engage with Damascus to ensure “Kurdish participation” in the country’s future governance. This initiative is seen as a critical step toward creating a Syria that guarantees equal rights for all its citizens.
