January 2025
Letter in Support of Preserving Religious Freedom in Syria and the Middle East
Letter in Support of Preserving Religious Freedom in Syria and the Middle East
SIGNATURE COUNT: 110
The IRF Community and Middle East Working Group circulated a letter addressing the urgent need to preserve religious freedom in Syria and the Middle East. Directed to President Biden and Secretary Blinken, with copies to President-elect Trump and Secretary of State-designate Rubio, the letter urges immediate U.S. action to halt Turkey's aggression in Northeast Syria and support a pluralistic, non-sectarian constitutional framework for the region. It advocates reimposing sanctions under Executive Order 13894 against Turkey's leadership until Turkish forces and proxies withdraw from Syrian territories governed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (DAANES). Highlighting DAANES' success as a secular, multi-ethnic governance model, the letter underscores its potential to shape a peaceful Syria. It warns of the risks posed by Turkey's neo-Ottoman ambitions and Islamist proxies, emphasizing the critical role of the U.S. and allies in safeguarding religious diversity and preventing regional destabilization.
Informative Sources:
US Government Removes Syria-related Designations of Turkish Ministries and Officials, Baker McKenzie (2019)
Van Hollen, Graham Express Bipartisan Support for Syrian Kurdish Partners in Fight to Prevent Resurgence of ISIS; Announce Intent to Introduce Sanctions Legislation Should Turkey Not Renew Ceasefire, Chris Van Hollen (2024)
Executive Order 13894 of October 14, 2019: Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain PersonsContributing to the Situation in Syria, Federal Register (2019)
Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in and in Relation to Syria, The White House (2024)