Statement of Condemnation Issued by Kurdish Civil Society Organizations Regarding the Exclusion of Their Representatives from the European–Syrian Dialogue Event in Damascus
- Copy to Relevant European Union Authorities
- Copy to the Public and Media Outlets
Kurdish civil society organizations express their strong condemnation of the exclusion of Kurdish civil society representatives from the main platform and discussion panels during the “Civil Society Dialogue Day” event organized by the European Union in cooperation with the Syrian Interim Government, and held for the first time in Damascus since the launch of the initiative nine years ago.
Despite the participation of more than five hundred representatives of Syrian civil society organizations, the presence of delegations from the Interim Government, the United Nations, and the European Union, and the provision of simultaneous interpretation in Kurdish, Arabic, and English—alongside several interventions delivered in Kurdish and warmly welcomed by the audience—the official platform was entirely devoid of any Kurdish speaker. This exclusion represents a fundamental flaw in the representation process and contradicts the principles of inclusiveness and fairness that such events should uphold.
The absence of the Kurdish voice—one of the main and active components of the Syrian social and civic landscape—cannot be dismissed as a mere organizational oversight. Rather, it constitutes an unjustified marginalization of the crucial role Kurdish civil society plays in advancing development, democracy, and peacebuilding. This marginalization is not limited to the event in Damascus; Kurdish civil society organizations have long faced underrepresentation within European civil society forums, as well as limited acknowledgment of civic activities, community initiatives, and institutional efforts taking place across the Autonomous Administration region in North and East Syria (Rojava). Such patterns reflect structural gaps that must be addressed to ensure genuine and inclusive participation.
In this context, we firmly reject any form of domination by the governing authorities of the Syrian Interim Government—whether through licensing, funding, or directing priorities—which threatens the independence and neutrality of civil society organizations. Kurdish civil society organizations also reaffirm their solidarity with civil organizations in Suwayda that declined participation due to the lack of adequate security and ethical conditions, reflecting growing concerns over the freedom and safety of civic work inside Syria.
Our organizations additionally call on all EU-affiliated bodies responsible for organizing the conference to ensure the meaningful inclusion of Kurdish civil society organizations in all Syria-related conferences and events. Excluding them undermines the principles of fairness, balance, and comprehensive representation.
Based on the above, Kurdish civil society organizations call for the following:
Despite the participation of more than five hundred representatives of Syrian civil society organizations, the presence of delegations from the Interim Government, the United Nations, and the European Union, and the provision of simultaneous interpretation in Kurdish, Arabic, and English—alongside several interventions delivered in Kurdish and warmly welcomed by the audience—the official platform was entirely devoid of any Kurdish speaker. This exclusion represents a fundamental flaw in the representation process and contradicts the principles of inclusiveness and fairness that such events should uphold.
The absence of the Kurdish voice—one of the main and active components of the Syrian social and civic landscape—cannot be dismissed as a mere organizational oversight. Rather, it constitutes an unjustified marginalization of the crucial role Kurdish civil society plays in advancing development, democracy, and peacebuilding. This marginalization is not limited to the event in Damascus; Kurdish civil society organizations have long faced underrepresentation within European civil society forums, as well as limited acknowledgment of civic activities, community initiatives, and institutional efforts taking place across the Autonomous Administration region in North and East Syria (Rojava). Such patterns reflect structural gaps that must be addressed to ensure genuine and inclusive participation.
In this context, we firmly reject any form of domination by the governing authorities of the Syrian Interim Government—whether through licensing, funding, or directing priorities—which threatens the independence and neutrality of civil society organizations. Kurdish civil society organizations also reaffirm their solidarity with civil organizations in Suwayda that declined participation due to the lack of adequate security and ethical conditions, reflecting growing concerns over the freedom and safety of civic work inside Syria.
Our organizations additionally call on all EU-affiliated bodies responsible for organizing the conference to ensure the meaningful inclusion of Kurdish civil society organizations in all Syria-related conferences and events. Excluding them undermines the principles of fairness, balance, and comprehensive representation.
Based on the above, Kurdish civil society organizations call for the following:
- Ensuring fair and genuine representation of Kurdish civil society in all national and international events and dialogues related to the Syrian context.
- Protecting the independence of civil society organizations and preventing political or governmental interference in their work—whether through funding mechanisms, licensing requirements, or imposed priorities.
- Reviewing the selection mechanisms for speakers and partners within EU programs to guarantee inclusive representation of all components of Syrian society.
- Responding seriously to the rights-based concerns that prompted some organizations to boycott the event and working to ensure a safe and ethical environment for civil society work.
Issued by: Kurdish Civil Society Organizations
- Kurdische Geostrategie-Organisation für die Zivilgesellschaft
- Kurdisch Österreicher Frauen – Verein für Kunst und Kultur
- Deutsche Internationale Organisation für Entwicklung und Frieden (D.I.O.E.F EV)
- Free Intellectuals Gathering
- Geo-strategic Studies Network (GSN)
- Zozan Folklore Group
16 November 2025
