To: U.S. Administration, Members of Congress, and Western Allies

Imagine your own daughter barred from school, neighbors forced to hide their faith, and centuries-old traditions whispered in fear. This could be Syria’s fate if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—rooted in al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch—escapes terrorist listings without proven reforms. We, the undersigned, insist that HTS remain designated until it enacts and enforces clear laws protecting women’s rights and minority freedoms. Changing a name doesn’t cleanse extremist roots; only real, verifiable change can earn legitimacy.

Why This Matters Now

Decisions may be just days away. Post-Assad Syria stands at a crossroads. We demanded strict reforms before aiding Ukraine—should we demand less from a group with terror-stained origins? Without conditions, a Christian family may never ring church bells aloud, a Kurdish child may never learn her mother tongue openly, and a Yazidi mother may never celebrate her faith in peace. History proves that rewarding extremists without evidence of true reform cements oppression, inspiring others to copy their deceit. If we cave now, we surrender moral credibility and dim hope for survivors who believed in universal human rights.

A Collapsing Tapestry of Communities

Syria once thrived as a mosaic of cultures and beliefs. Under unrepentant extremists, that mosaic shatters—women cast from classrooms, minorities driven underground. War psychology confirms that when global powers legitimize oppressors without proof of change, entire communities lose faith in international principles. No terror-born faction should gain respectability at the price of women’s laughter or minority songs silenced into whispers.

Updated Information

Counterterrorism experts, human rights defenders, women’s organizations, faith leaders, diaspora communities, and survivors agree: HTS must show tangible reforms before delisting. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets the standard—women must access education and employment freely, minorities must celebrate faith and culture openly, and UN inspectors must verify these freedoms on the ground. Previous leniency in other conflicts taught extremists they can feign moderation, then revert to abuse once scrutiny fades.

If HTS truly wants delisting, let it prove forced marriages are outlawed, girls attend schools unafraid, minority holidays grace public calendars, and journalists move freely without fear. Without these guarantees, removing HTS’s terror label only encourages future militants to offer hollow promises instead of genuine progress.

Our Demands

1. Keep HTS on Terror Lists Until Authentic Reform: No delisting until enforceable laws protect women’s rights, ensure minority religious and cultural freedoms, and permit impartial oversight.
2. Condition All Engagement on Evidence: No economic aid, no diplomatic ties, no easing of restrictions without documented milestones—principle outranks convenience.
3. Full Transparency & Independent Verification: UN agencies, NGOs, journalists must verify reforms in classrooms, workplaces, temples, and marketplaces. True reform welcomes scrutiny.
4. Safe Corridors & Aid First: Before any delisting, secure humanitarian routes and assistance for families who distrust HTS’s claimed metamorphosis.

Why Sign This Petition?

Your signature joins a global chorus—thousands of concerned citizens, activists, experts—demanding that moral standards shape foreign policy, not expediency. Public pressure has changed policies before; it can ensure we don’t bargain away human dignity now. If we demanded conditions from Ukraine’s beneficiaries, must we not insist on the same here to avoid hypocrisy and uphold our values?

Imagine a future where Syrian women learn and lead without fear, where minorities revive their rituals under open skies, and where children inherit cultural richness instead of suppressed whispers. By signing, you reject hollow rebranding and affirm that no terror group can earn a free pass without genuine, verifiable change.

Your Role

1. Sign & Share Urgently: Time is short. Spread this petition online, in your community—every voice matters.
2. Contact Lawmakers Now: Tell representatives that no delisting should occur without concrete reforms. A surge of public demand can sway their stance.
3. Support Monitoring Efforts: NGOs, journalists, and UN observers risk much to expose truths. Their evidence guides principled decisions—amplify their reports.
4. Stay Informed & Engaged: Follow verified news, share survivor testimonies, keep Syria’s plight visible. Indifference paves oppression’s path.

We Must Act Now

This moment will echo beyond Syria’s borders. Refuse to let extremists trade old horrors for a new façade. Sign now to ensure Syria’s tomorrow honors women’s dreams, minority voices, and the universal rights we cherish. United, we prove that legitimacy must be earned through justice, not bestowed upon empty words.

 

© 2024 Hussain A. Zammam. This petition is free to share and distribute. Please credit the original author and do not alter the content in any way.