بيان صادر عن الحزب الآشوري الديمقراطي

Regarding the Closure of Church-Affiliated Private Schools in the Syrian Jazira and the Imposition of the Autonomous Administration’s Curriculum

The Assyrian Democratic Party expresses its strong rejection and condemnation of the decisions issued by institutions of the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria concerning the closure of private schools affiliated with the churches, or obligating them to teach the curriculum adopted by the Autonomous Administration—despite the fact that this curriculum is not recognized nationally or internationally.

This step directly undermines the right of our children to officially recognized education and jeopardizes the future of Assyrian students and other communities, as it imposes curricula that do not enable them to continue their higher education in universities inside or outside Syria.

The Assyrian Democratic Party has exercised patience in issuing this statement during the past period, out of its belief in the importance of giving full opportunity to the ongoing dialogues between the churches and the Autonomous Administration regarding this sensitive issue, in the hope of reaching solutions that safeguard the rights of both students and educational institutions.

However, the failure of these dialogues and their reaching a dead end—particularly after the last meeting held on Monday, October 27, 2025—due to the insistence of the Autonomous Administration on imposing its own curricula without consensus or recognition, makes it necessary for us to declare our clear stance in defense of our people’s rights and their existence in their historical homeland.

These decisions were taken without consultation with representatives of the Assyrian component, whose churches and affiliated schools constitute a cornerstone in preserving its cultural and religious identity. Such exclusion represents a blatant violation of the principle of partnership and equality among components as stipulated in the Social Contract of the Autonomous Administration, which is supposed to guarantee each component the right to manage its educational and cultural affairs freely.

The Assyrian Democratic Party considers these measures an infringement upon the rights of the indigenous components of the Syrian Jazira and a threat to the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity. They also endanger the future of education and the coming generations—something that cannot be accepted.

Accordingly, the Assyrian Democratic Party demands the following:

1. The immediate suspension of the decisions to close schools and to impose unrecognized curricula, and the continuation of recognized curricula until a unified national curriculum is developed—particularly in light of the recent rapprochement between the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria and the Interim Government in Damascus, and any outcomes that may arise from this development.

2. The reopening of the private schools affiliated with the churches and enabling them to fulfill their educational and pedagogical mission under their supervision.

3. Respecting the right of all components to determine their educational and cultural policies in accordance with human rights and international conventions, and ensuring that schools continue their educational mission free from political pressures.

The Assyrian Democratic Party affirms that upholding the inclusive Syrian national identity does not contradict the preservation of the cultural particularity of the historical communities of the Jazira, as they are an integral part of the region’s historical and cultural fabric. Any attempt to impose a de facto situation contrary to the will of these communities will not serve stability nor coexistence.

Issued in the Homeland: 27/7/6775 Assyrian Era

Corresponding to: October 27, 2025 AD

The Assyrian Democratic Party

Executive Committee