Guarantee minority rights in Syria

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to secure constitutional minority rights and Kurdish status in Syria, review HTS’s delisting, and condition engagement on protections. The government responds that it supports inclusive guarantees, delisted HTS, and will monitor protections.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED WHEREAS: • Kurdish-Canadians and concerned Canadians have deep and ongoing concerns regarding the safety, rights, and political future of Kurdish, Druze, Alawite, Christian, Yazidi, and other minority communities in Syria; • Sustainable peace and stability in Syria require constitutional guarantees for equal rights, return of internally displaced individuals, and full political participation for all ethnic and religious communities; • Armed actors exercising territorial control in Syria raise serious concerns where they lack democratic accountability, inclusive governance structures, or verifiable commitments to human rights and international law; •Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has a well-documented history, as reported by international bodies and rights organizations, of human rights violations, repression of minorities, and extremist governance practices; • The Government of Canada's decision in December 2025 to remove HTS from the List of Terrorist Entities under the Criminal Code has raised significant concern among Canadians regarding the implications for Canada's counterterrorism policy, human rights commitments, and long-term regional stability; • Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have been key partners in international efforts to defeat ISIS, and have operated with the support of the Global Coalition, including Canada, contributing to improved security and regional stability in northeastern Syria at considerable human cost; • Local governance structures established in areas administered by the SDF have demonstrated pluralistic practices, including the participation of women and representatives of diverse ethnic and religious communities in civilian and local administrative institutions; • Recent large-scale hostilities indicate that existing agreements are precarious and long-term stability in Syria cannot be achieved through political arrangements that marginalize the Kurds and other minorities without clear constitutional accountability and protections. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Advocate publicly and consistently for a constitutional political system in Syria that guarantees equal rights, security, and political representation for all ethnic and religious communities; 2. Recognize the necessity of clearly defined constitutional and political status for the Kurdish people of Syria within any future Syrian governance framework; 3. Review and reconsider the policy implications of removing Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the List of Terrorist Entities under the Criminal Code, in light of available evidence and human rights reporting; 4. Formally acknowledge the role of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in contributing to regional security and stability, and ensure that Canada's policy toward Syria does not undermine those partners or expose civilian populations to renewed violence; 5. Ensure that any decision to alter Canada's sanctions regime, diplomatic engagement, or political posture toward Syria is subject to clear conditions, regular review, and parliamentary scrutiny, including consideration of impacts on Kurdish and other vulnerable communities; 6. Condition any diplomatic engagement or policy shift regarding Syria on transparent, measurable commitments to constitutional rule, pluralism, and the protection of vulnerable communities; 7. Take an active and principled role in advocating for inclusive political processes on Syria, including the meaningful participation of legitimate representatives of Kurdish and other minority communities; 8. Ensure that Canada's foreign policy toward Syria prioritizes human rights, long-term stability, and the prevention of renewed conflict, rather than short-term political considerations.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for raising concerns about the safety, rights, and political future of minority communities in Syria and welcomes the opportunity to highlight the values and principles driving Canada’s policy on Syria. Canada reaffirms that sustainable peace and stability require the meaningful inclusion of minority communities in Syria’s governance structures and the protection of their constitutional rights. Canada will continue to promote a stable and inclusive political and economic transition in Syria, including by supporting accountability efforts for human rights violations and abuses committed during and after the Assad era. Following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria on December 8, 2024, Canada gradually began re-engaging with the Syrian Transitional Government with the aim of supporting a stable and inclusive transition in Syria. Throughout this engagement process, Canada has consistently reaffirmed to the Syrian Transitional Government, both in public statements and in private communications, the importance of protecting Syria’s religious and ethnic diversity. Canada further recognizes the contributions of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in promoting domestic and regional stability through their support for the Global Coalition Against Daesh (Islamic State), of which Canada is a member. Canada welcomes the January 29, 2026, agreement between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, which includes cultural and political guarantees for Kurdish peoples in Syria, formally recognizing Kurdish as a national language, and restoring citizenship to all Kurdish Syrians. Though efforts to fully implement the agreement are ongoing, it represents an important step towards a more peaceful and inclusive future for all Syrians, including Kurdish Syrians. Canada’s gradual re-engagement with Syria is driven by the desire to promote long-term domestic stability, economic development, inclusive governance, and human rights. To this end, on February 18, 2026, Canada announced amendments to itsSpecial Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations(Syria Regulations) to allow Canadians to participate in Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction, while providing the Government of Canada with additional tools to sanction individuals and entities engaging in malign activities threatening Syria’s stability. In order to remove certain barriers to lawful trade and investment for the benefit of Canadians and Syrians, the amendments include the removal of broad sectoral prohibitions, as well as the delisting of 24 entities and 1 individual listed during the Assad era. 229 individuals and 32 entities from the Assad era remain listed under the Syria Regulations, and six individuals were added to the list on the basis of new criteria related to human rights and the undermining of Syria’s stability. Specifically, these new criteria are designed to be flexible and to facilitate a firm response against those who, directly or indirectly, undermine the peace, security, or stability of Syria and those who contribute to gross and systematic human rights violations in Syria. The six new listings were based on involvement in the March 2025 wave of sectarian violence or the financing of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons and ballistic missile programs. On December 5, 2025, following a review, the Government of Canada announced the decision to remove Syria from Canada’s List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from the List of Terrorist Entities under the Criminal Code. These measures have followed efforts by the Syrian Transitional Government to advance Syria’s stability, build an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and work alongside global partners to reinforce regional stability and counter terrorism. On February 27, 2026, the United Nations Security Council also removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from its Islamic State and Al Qaida sanctions list. The decision lifts the asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo imposed Under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation in Syria and will take action should new terrorism threats re-emerge in Syria. Canada remains committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive future for all Syrians, including ethnic and religious minorities. As Syria continues its transition, Canada will work with international partners, regional actors, and Syrian stakeholders to encourage governance structures that uphold human dignity, protect vulnerable communities, and foster long-term stability. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor developments closely and ensure that its policies reflect both Canada’s values and the evolving realities in Syria.