On March 21st of each year, the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, established by the United Nations in remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, South Africa, where dozens of Black civilians were killed by the bullets of the now-defunct apartheid regime.
The Syrian Future Movement views this occasion not only as a moment to reflect on a painful past but as a global call to continue the struggle against all forms of discrimination and racism, which still threaten social peace and weaken the fabric of societies.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that in Syria—a historical model of cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity—this day carries special significance.
For centuries, this diversity has been a source of civilizational enrichment, yet today, amid war and crises, it is being exploited by forces of division and neo-colonialism that seek to dismantle national identity by fueling sectarian and ethnic tensions.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that combating racial discrimination is not just a moral duty but a fundamental condition for achieving national reconciliation and building a future Syria based on equal citizenship and social justice.
The Syrian Future Movement acknowledges that Syria, like many countries, has witnessed discriminatory practices that have left deep scars on society, particularly in recent years. However, we firmly believe that overcoming this phase begins with establishing a national culture that upholds the principle of “diversity within unity” and criminalizing any rhetoric or policies that divide Syrians based on race, religion, gender, or color.
The Syrian Future Movement holds that Syria’s revival must start by restoring the dignity of the Syrian individual as the highest value, through **strengthening legislation that protects the rights of all communities and supporting civil society institutions that play an active role in national dialogue.
The Syrian Future Movement reaffirms its commitment to confronting all forms of discrimination and calls on all political and cultural forces to unite in building a comprehensive national strategy that promotes tolerance and shared belonging.
We also urge the government to enact strict anti-racism laws that guarantee every citizen’s right to work, education, and political representation without exclusion.
The Syrian Future Movement salutes all those who have fought against racism in Syria and around the world reminding everyone that the path to true freedom begins with equality before the law.
Let us work together to make Syria a homeland for all, where the sun of freedom and dignity rises upon every citizen without exception.
