Press Release
March 15, 2004
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) condemned the brutal repression of Kurdish civilians by Syrian security forces in concert with pro-Saddam militias, urging immediate action by the international community to prevent additional violence.
“The Baath dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad has unleashed a military which will not hesitate to employ mass murder against Kurds and others who protest against the regime,” said WKI President Dr. Najmaldin Karim.
An anti-Kurd rampage, instigated by pro-Saddam football hooligans at a match in the Kurdish town of Qamishlo on Friday, March 12, 2004, resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. As reported by international news media, a group of thugs, chanting anti-Kurdish and anti-American slogans, attacked Kurdish spectators with knives, sticks and guns they were allowed to carry into the stadium. Syrian security forces and government-sponsored gangs have since killed dozens of unarmed Kurdish mourners and demonstrators as the violence spread. The Damascus regime has imposed a curfew on the entire Kurdish region and Kurdish neighborhoods in Damascus and Aleppo. Syrian forces and pro-Baath militias are pillaging Kurdish homes, stores and farms, and detaining hundreds of male residents.
“By brutally repressing peaceful mourners and demonstrators, the Government of Syria has again shown no regard for its responsibilities under international law,” Dr. Karim said. “The Syrian military, Mukhabarat and Baath Party cadres have launched a premeditated terror campaign to punish the Kurdish minority en masse. The United States, United Nations, and European Union should take immediate action to compel the Syrian government to end its violent repression of Kurds.“
The WKI President called upon the UN Commission on Human Rights to condemn Syria during the Commission’s 60th session that opens Monday, March 15, 2004 in Geneva, and to send a Special Rapporteur to investigate the ongoing violence.
“The U.S. government should demonstrate its stated commitment to promoting freedom, democracy and human rights throughout the Middle East by helping the Kurds of Syria. Like their Iraqi cousins who helped the US liberate Iraq, Kurds in Syria have wholeheartedly embraced US calls for democracy and freedom. Indeed, many believe Syria is now taking revenge for Kurdish cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. As proud Kurdish Americans we call on President Bush to make recognition of Kurdish minority rights in Syria an integral part of the Administration’s Syrian Accountability Act.”
Dr. Karim added that the U.S should also initiate discussions with Syrian Kurdish representatives concerning further steps to assure the safety of more than 2 million Syrian Kurds.
“The Damascus regime has systematically suppressed peaceful efforts for reforms, and jailed, tortured, exiled and killed Kurdish activists. Kurds in Syria have no means to participate in political life, nor are granted minority protections in the country’s constitution. For more than three decades of Baath rule, traditionally Kurdish areas have been subjected to Arabization policies, and nearly a quarter million of Kurds have been arbitrarily denied citizenship, unable to vote, buy property, find employment or obtain a passport. As strong US action has hopefully ended such practices in Iraq, so to should the US and international community act to halt similar abuses in Syria.”