Maenza, who has been in Rojava since Sunday, told Rudaw English via Whatsapp messaging app on Saturday that she visited the region to attend an international conference on religions and beliefs in Qamishli. She has also met with Kurdish officials and commanders as well as members of religious minorities.
“There is so much the U.S. and international community can learn about how they [Rojava authorities and people] transformed this society from being the headquarters of the ISIS Caliphate to one that welcomes all faiths and supports gender equality,” said Maenza who clarified that she is in Rojava on her own capacity but “the information I collect will be shared with my colleagues and the professional staff at USCIRF and used for our annual report.”
The USCIRF is an independent and bipartisan federal commission which makes non-binding policy recommendations concerning threats to religious freedoms worldwide.
Maenza plans to visit the Kurdistan Region as well next week. She and her colleagues will publish USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report in late April, said the commissioner, adding that “we are currently making decisions about our recommendations and writing the chapters.”
The following is the full interview with Maenza:
RUDAW: What made you make this trip to northeast Syria at this time?
Nadine Maenza: I came to northeast Syria to participate in the International Conference on Religions and Beliefs in Mesopotamia, held at Rojava University. This two-day conference brought together leaders of all faiths in the region with government leaders and civil society to strengthen interfaith relationships and continue their work to build a pluralistic society that opposed extremism. I congratulate them on it being a huge success! There is so much the U.S. and international community can learn about how they transformed this society from being the headquarters of the ISIS Caliphate to one that welcomes all faiths and supports gender equality.
What are the objectives of the trip?
While I came to Northeast Syria to support this conference and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)’s continued work to strengthen religious freedom, I also want to better understand the conditions both under AANES and in the areas Turkey occupies. With the drone attack in Kobani the first day I arrived killing a civilian, injuring 11 including a 4-year-old boy who lost his leg, I also wanted to draw attention to the continued ceasefire violations by Turkey. It is difficult watching the Turkish drone strikes and shelling targeting civilians while the US and international community are silent.
Is the trip part of your preparations for a new report on Syria?
While I am traveling in my own capacity, the information I collect will be shared with my colleagues and the professional staff at USCIRF and used for our annual report.
What have you discussed with Kurdish officials and commanders in northeast Syria? Can you tell me some details?
In my meetings with officials in northeast Syria, I was able to share about the growing support for AANES in Washington DC, as more learn about them and what they have accomplished. I also appreciated hearing updates about conditions in the region and how the US is now following USCIRF’s recommendation to expand engagement with AANES. When I first visited, the US only interacted with SDF, so this is an encouraging development.
What did the Kurdish officials tell you about their conditions?
In meeting with officials, I heard updates on the Social Contract and how they are working to make sure all have input to ensure it represents all the people in the northeast. I also heard about the challenging economic condition because of US sanctions, drought, Turkish continued attacks and weaponization of water, and now the closing of all their borders. While I am thankful the US has released stabilization funds and USAID is providing more support, the key to their success will be lifting sanctions to they can develop their own economy and be self-sufficient. While economic conditions are difficult here, it is still far better than other parts of Syria.
I also met with representatives from faith communities including Syriac-Assyrian Christians, Yazidis, Alawites, and Muslims to better understand their experiences and opinions. I also heard from Arab Tribal leaders who shared how they opposed ISIS and participate in AANES because it gives them the opportunity to build a future for their families and communities. Hearing them talk about how they are proactive in teaching the importance of religious tolerance to their youth was encouraging.
It is always a privilege to meet with persecuted communities, and I met displaced citizens from the areas Turkey occupies including Sere Kanye, Tel Abyad, and Afrin. Hearing about the atrocities that continue against their families and friends in the areas Turkey occupies was heartbreaking. I heard how religious and ethnic minorities continue to be arrested, tortured, raped, kidnapped for ransom, and forcibly converted. I heard how homes have been taken by the Islamist militias and Olive trees destroyed. Documentation was presented to me about the destruction of religious sites and cemeteries.
Will you visit the Kurdistan Region as well in a near future?
I am looking forward to being in the Kurdistan Region this coming week. I always spend time in Iraq during my travels to the region but don’t get quite the same sort of media coverage. I hope the weather cooperates so I can go hiking and enjoy the beauty of the region! My heart goes out to those recently impacted by the recent flooding.
When will your commission’s new annual report be released?
USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report will be released the last week of April, so we are currently making decisions about our recommendations and writing the chapters.
