Are Kurds underrepresented in the new Syrian constitutional committee?

Shivan Ibrahim

Oct 15, 2019

Syrian Kurds demonstrate in front of the United Nations offices in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeast Syria on October 2, 2019 over their exclusion from the UN-backed constitutional committee. - The United Nations on September 23 announced the long-awaited formation of the committee which includes the government and opposition, but it remained to be seen if the step could finally end the civil war. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) — Syrian Kurds demonstrate in front of the United Nations offices in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli, Syria, Oct. 2, 2019. — DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

عربي

As the recently formed Syrian constitution committee gears up to hold its first meeting by the end of this month, Kurdish Syrians of varying groups have expressed concern that their interests could be sidelined in the forthcoming talks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Sept. 30 the creation of a Syrian constitutional committee that will include members of the Syrian government, the opposition and civil society representatives.

Guterres said he was pleased to announce that an agreement was reached between the parties and with “the composition of the committee,” which is expected to begin its work in the coming weeks.

The 150-member committee was proposed during a peace conference hosted by Russia in January 2018 and will be tasked with drafting the Syrian Constitution.

Are Kurds underrepresented in the new Syrian constitutional committee?

The Syrian national committee was announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Kurds are not satisfied.

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