US religious freedom commissioner visits Rojava in individual capacity
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An official from the US Commission of the International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with Rojava officials and civil society organizations in a visit to northeastern Syria in her individual capacity on Wednesday, reports local media.
Nadine Maenza, vice chair of the commission, tweeted a video of herself in front of a church destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS), when the group used the city as the seat of their power.
“It is really interesting that this used to be such a horrible place and is now being transformed into a refuge for religious minorities,” Maenza told the camera, describing the situation as surreal.
“Now it is the headquarters for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria [NES], a government that has the best religious freedom conditions in the Middle East and has the best conditions for women.”
At a press conference, the commissioner clarified that she "came to Syria as an independent and not as an official," NES-affiliated Hawar news quoted her as saying.
"In June, we held a hearing in the American Congress to talk about religious freedoms in northern and eastern Syria compared to the areas occupied by Turkey in terms of murder, rape, kidnapping, imposing religion and destroying sacred things, she added. “That is why freedom of religions and beliefs suggested that America should pressure Turkey to withdraw from Syria."
She said the commission recommended the US recognize the administration’s government, lift the sanctions on the areas it administers, and involve it in political negotiations.
Nadine Maenza, vice chair of the commission, tweeted a video of herself in front of a church destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS), when the group used the city as the seat of their power.
“It is really interesting that this used to be such a horrible place and is now being transformed into a refuge for religious minorities,” Maenza told the camera, describing the situation as surreal.
“Now it is the headquarters for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria [NES], a government that has the best religious freedom conditions in the Middle East and has the best conditions for women.”
Surreal being in #Raqqa #Syria as it used to be the HQ for the ISIS Caliphate but now is the HQ for the Autonomous Administration of North & East Syria which has the best #ReligiousFreedom conditions & gender equality in the Middle East. Stunning transformation. pic.twitter.com/0CUWKwkr2Q
— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) October 28, 2020
At a press conference, the commissioner clarified that she "came to Syria as an independent and not as an official," NES-affiliated Hawar news quoted her as saying.
"In June, we held a hearing in the American Congress to talk about religious freedoms in northern and eastern Syria compared to the areas occupied by Turkey in terms of murder, rape, kidnapping, imposing religion and destroying sacred things, she added. “That is why freedom of religions and beliefs suggested that America should pressure Turkey to withdraw from Syria."
She said the commission recommended the US recognize the administration’s government, lift the sanctions on the areas it administers, and involve it in political negotiations.