Qamishli – April 21, 2026
At the invitation of “Syrians for Truth and Justice” organization and the Office of Organizations Affairs in North and East Syria, the Rights Defense Initiative (RDI) participated in two expanded consultative meetings with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The discussions focused on the human rights roadmap in Syria and addressing outstanding issues directly impacting the lives of civilians.
Right to Education: Recognition of Kurdish Certificates as a Priority
The meeting featured an exceptional discussion on the state of Kurdish education in Al-Hasakah Governorate and the Kobani region. During the discussions, the initiative emphasized that the right to education in one’s mother tongue is a fundamental human right, stressing the need to establish legal mechanisms to recognize certificates issued by Kurdish schools.
It was highlighted that the failure to recognize these certificates deprives thousands of students of their academic and professional futures, calling for the education file to be depoliticized and for legal recognition of the educational process in the region to be guaranteed.
File of Violations and Missing Persons
Participants addressed the human rights record and ongoing violations across various Syrian geographical areas. The Initiative focused its intervention on the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared people, stressing the need to oblige all parties to provide transparent information to the families of victims.
Safe Return within the Framework of Transitional Justice
In the context of transitional justice pathways, the attendees examined the conditions for the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons and those forcibly displaced. The Initiative reiterated that return cannot be achieved without:
- Providing legal guarantees protecting returnees from security prosecution.
- Restoring confiscated property rights.
- Linking the return file to a comprehensive transitional justice process that ensures accountability, reparations, and the prevention of the recurrence of violations.
Concluding Recommendations
The consultative sessions concluded with the need to continue coordination between local human rights organizations and the UN Office to ensure the accurate delivery of field reports and to work on transforming these consultations into practical steps contributing to the alleviation of the suffering of Syrians.