Syrian Ezidis have been left without representation in the new Syrian parliament, despite repeated efforts to secure at least one seat for the Ezidi people in Syria.
The Syrian Ezidi Council has expressed serious concern over the outcome, stating that Ezidis were not included in the new parliamentary structure, even though formal requests were made for representation. The Council had sought two seats, one for Aleppo and one for the Jazira region, but also expressed readiness to accept one seat if that was the only possible option.
The demand was based on the view that Ezidis, because of their reduced numbers, displacement, and political marginalisation, would not be able to secure representation through the ordinary election mechanism. For that reason, the Council called for a quota seat or an appointment that would ensure Ezidis are not excluded from the new political process.
Syrian Ezidis are mainly present in Afrin and Al-Hasakah. Their total number has been estimated at around 150,000 to 200,000 people, but a large majority have been displaced or forced into refuge due to years of war, insecurity, and instability.
The exclusion has caused frustration among Ezidi representatives, who argue that the new Syrian authorities have failed to recognise Ezidis as an essential part of the country. Concerns have also been raised about the role of political actors involved in the process, as no space was ultimately given to an Ezidi candidate.
The Syrian Ezidi Council has stressed that Ezidis are citizens of Syria and must not be ignored at a historic stage when the country’s future political structure is being shaped. The Council has also appealed to influential regional figures, including Masoud Barzani, to intervene and help ensure that Syrian Ezidis are not deprived of their rights.
The issue is not only about one parliamentary seat. For Ezidis in Syria, representation is directly connected to protection, return, property rights, religious freedom, and recognition. Without representation, there is concern that Ezidi voices will remain absent from decisions affecting their future.
The Council has warned that if the exclusion continues, it may take a more oppositional position toward the new political process. At the same time, it has emphasised that its work remains peaceful and based on diplomacy, public advocacy, and political engagement.
The situation of Ezidis in Afrin was also raised. Some Ezidis have returned, and the Council supports the return of displaced families. However, many Ezidis remain outside their homes, including in Lebanon, Iraq, and other parts of Syria. While the return process is gradually improving in some areas, challenges remain, especially regarding housing, security, and the restoration of normal life.
The absence of Ezidi representation in the new Syrian parliament highlights a wider concern: whether Syria’s future institutions will include all peoples of the country, including those who have suffered displacement, marginalisation, and repeated threats to their existence.
