In the discourse on Syria, a significant emphasis is placed on citizenship as a means to address the causes and consequences of the ongoing conflict and as a foundational framework for the desired democratic transition. Various interpretations of citizenship exist, including a model close to “regional citizenship”, which bases citizenship on group rights, particularly for marginalized minorities like the Kurds. Another approach advocates for a secular, human rights-based model, relying on international treaties and conventions, viewing group rights with suspicion due to their potential to undermine individual human rights. A third, conservative Islamic perspective emphasizes the view by conservative Sunni Muslims for the primacy of the identity of the Muslim majority while providing essential recognition of minority rights within bounds.

The article proposes a middle ground, drawing on Will Kymlicka’s theory that citizenship based solely on individual rights cannot guarantee specific group rights, such as linguistic and religious rights. Kymlicka argues that true equal citizenship should protect social groups to avoid the tyranny of the majority’s identity over minorities. The article suggests that constitutionalizing group rights is essential to protect them from populist politics and ensure they are not subject to changing political circumstances.

The article emphasizes balancing individual and group rights within democratic frameworks, ensuring that group rights themselves do not undermine individual human rights of the members of the group. Thus, it proposes, following Kymlicka, two sets of protection mechanisms: external protection for the group and internal constraints to protect its members. Two examples from Canada and South Africa, can demonstrate how to recognize group rights without leading to sectarianism or ethnic quotas.

The article concludes that equal citizenship alone does not guarantee group rights and that integrating these rights enhances real integration based on equality, preventing minorities from being forced to abandon their cultural identities. Expanding the discussion on citizenship and group rights is crucial for achieving a balanced and inclusive framework in Syria’s future political landscape.