The National Organization of Kurdish Youth (SOZ) (Rêxistina Niştimanî ya Ciwanên Kurd; المنظمة الوطنية للشباب الكورد (سوز)) is a politically-independent Kurdish youth organization in Syria which was founded in October 2013. Its stated aims are to peacefully construct democracy in Syria, to defend human rights and civil society, and to achieve self-determination for the Kurdish people.
SOZ organizes peaceful demonstrations in Syria calling for an end to the Bashar al-Assad regime and the release of detainees. Members who have sought asylum in Europe organize similar protests.
Leaders include Shibal Ibrahim, Azad Atta, Abdulrahman Jawhar, and Yousef Tamr, and others. Many members have been arrested, tortured and imprisoned by the Syrian government.
Background
Following the onset of the Syrian Uprising in March 2011, Kurdish youth participating in anti-government demonstrations organized local coordinating committees across Damascus and northern Syria.
The National Organization of Youth Kurds (SOZ) was formed as a coalition to consolidate these local youth committees, civil society groups, and independent activists into a unified movement. Operating independently from existing political factions, SOZ engaged in street mobilization, organizing public protests, and issuing messaging critical of the Assad government. Despite these initiatives, internal fragmentation alongside local and international pressures limited the direct political influence of youth organizations within the broader opposition movement.
SOZ functions as a non-partisan organization seeking working relations with both Syrian and Kurdish political groups, including regional entities such as the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. The organization manages administrative offices within Syria and internationally, focusing on Kurdish youth rights and political advocacy
Definition Political organization that seeks to build a federal democratic system and framing the energies of young people to play an active role in political and social life and works to promote human rights culture and the revival of civil society and defend it. Moreover, adopt rules of procedure and administrative work to strengthen institutional work.
Announcement It was announced on 21 October 2013 through a press conference at the city of Qamishlo in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan) (north and north east Syria) by group of active young people (Shapal Ibrahim, Azad Ata, Hisham Shekho and others).
Organization logo
Colors Orange: refers to youth revolution Yellow: refers to the sun that refer to Zoroastrianism (Kurdish old religion) Green: arundo (qamish Turkish, çîtik in Kurdish): refers to city of Qamishli, the capital of Western Kurdistan that is famous of it.
General principles Kurdish issue in Syria is an issue of land, people and history. Organization touts all methods of peaceful struggle and building civil society institutions to change the authoritarian regime in all its forms and pillars Activate the Kurdish youth movement and work to unite the energies of young people to be part of a political decision.
Goals Syria is federal pluralistic democratic state with a modern constitution guarantees equal participation in rights and duties among all national, religious and sectarian components. Syria is a state of multi* races, religions and cultures. The official languages of the Syrian state are Arabic, Kurdish and Assyrian. Solving the Kurdish issue through peaceful dialogue on the basis of meeting the legitimate national aspirations of the Kurdish people, according to him free will to organize him political and social affairs and him self-determination on the basis of co-existence. Remove all decrees including Arab belt and Statistics unjust and special laws issued against the Kurdish people in Syria. Working for support the youth at all intellectual, political and social spheres. Interest in the Kurdish language, culture, history and folklore. Defending women and children's issues and the fight against all forms of discrimination against women and considered them as the real core of building a free society. Emphasis on individual freedom and respect human rights in accordance with the principles of international covenants and conventions. Raising the level of awareness and interest in education and work on ending the illiteracy. Preservation of the environment and developing the environmental awareness among young people. Constructive communication with the rest of the national fabric in order to active participation and interaction between the Syrian youth to promote understanding. Distributing the country's wealth in a fair way and attention to economic projects at all levels and encourage investments to establish a free economic system. Encourage convergence and dialogue between the Eastern and Western societies and emphasis on shared values and humanitarian concepts through the submission of accurate reports and analyzes of cultural and religious issues and other major issues between the East and the West, relating to civil society, and set up interactive meetings and use directed media at spreading the culture of Global Citizen.
Bodies and offices of the organization The organization is composed of domestic and overseas branches.
Domestic branch Organizational structure
Executive structure
General conference General Secretariat Made up of members of the Central Committee, fifteen members of the Advisory Board, President of the organization, his deputy and members of the leadership. It is the second Authority considered after the General Conference. Meets twice between two conferences every two years over four days, or if the Central Committee called for a meeting. The interval between its meeting and the meeting of the Central Committee must be three months at least.
Functions (Duties) General Secretariat have the authority to change one-third of the members of the leadership vote by a majority of two-thirds if the need arises. Evaluate the work of the Central Committee and its performance. In addition, the issuance of the necessary decisions. All its decisions is binding (obligated) Evaluation of the organization's work and performance at various levels and the extent of implementation of the General Conference's decisions.
Central Committee Consist of two members elected from each regional Commission in all Kurdish cities. In addition to the head of the organization and the members of the leadership, that the ratio of women not less than twenty percent in each regional Commission. Hold its meetings twice a year in the month of January and June over three days. It is considered the third authority at the organization. It has the right to call a meeting of the General Secretariat. Each member of the Central Committee is allowed to serve as a member of regional Committee and member of the central committee only and not allowed to hold any additional position. Making decisions by simple majority vote.
Tasks Evaluate the performance of the President of the organization and members of the leadership. Protect the political and regulatory unity of the organization and take the necessary measures and to stand in the face of attempts that may weaken the organization. Confirm the pursuit of its objectives and fulfillment of its programs. Discuss the situation of the organization and the problems that is experiencing and take the necessary decisions. Do not have the right to change the members of the leadership and the President of the organization, but have the right to direct warnings for each of the head of the organization, the leadership the Offices Managers. Each receiving two yellow cards in a row (the duration of each warning is 3 months) from the Central Committee is frozen and turned to the General Secretariat meeting for discussion Study and discuss the complaints against the offices managers, the leadership and the President of the organization and approval of the appropriate recommendations. Determine the place and time of holding the General Conference and the meeting of the General Secretariat. Do the functions of the judiciary in the organization.
President of the organization To be elected at the General conference. Has the same leadership body functions. In addition to representing the organization in all forums, meetings and conferences in coordination with the Office of Public Relations. Elected to the electoral cycle of three years. Spokesman of the organization. Do not entitled to hold the position for more than two consecutive electoral cycle.
Vice President of the organization To be elected at the conference. The owner of the second place after the head of the organization in terms of votes. Has the right to do the functions of head of the organization in the event of his absence. Has the same leadership body functions. In addition to representing the organization in all forums, meetings and conferences in coordination with the Office of Public Relations. Elected to the electoral cycle of three years. Do not entitled to hold the position for more than two consecutive electoral cycle.
Leading Commission Tasks Work to ensure that the offices of the organization do their functions to the fullest. Its decisions is binding to offices and regional committees. Holds the political media's management of the Organization (writing political statements-Determine organization attitude toward the developments and the latest events) represent the organization abroad at conferences meetings, and appointments or choose appropriate members of the organization if they are unable to attend those meetings. Have the right to call a meeting of the Central Committee. Take decisions by simple majority vote. Determine the financial exchange priorities and budget of the Organization. Have the right to speak on behalf of the organization. Create the Kurdish expertise house, which consists of specialists in various spheres (Media * political * Medical * Engineering -....) and use this experience to benefit the Kurdish people.
Organizationally Consists of fourteen members in addition to the head of the organization: nine from the inside homeland, four from abroad. To be elected at the General Conference.
Regional Committee Tasks To submit periodic reports of the organization activity in the city to the leadership body. Election of its representatives for the Central Committee of the Organization. By the number of owners for the total number of members of the organization. Administration all matters relating to the organization in the city and it is responsible to the leadership's Commission. Work to increase the effectiveness of the organization in the city and work on the implementation of its programs and objectives. Issuing statements and local issues in the light of the Organization's program and after approval by the leadership body. Work on positive communication with the youth generation in the city and carry out activities and events that will enhance this communication and working to take advantage of their energies to serve the public interest and encourage joining the organization by doing interactive meetings and special seminars related to Youth and do cultural events that will attract this group.
Organizationally Consist of eleven members in each city. Except Qamishlo, which owns two regional committees Each regional Committee has its Chairman represent it. distribute the members of the regional committee on the organization offices.
Subcommittee Tasks elect the members of the regional committee in every city in the subconference. Carrying out the tasks entrusted to it by the regional Committee Participate in the implementation of the activities carried out by the organization in the city.
Organizationally Consists of ten members Meets on per month or when needed. Elect its representative.
Advisory Council (Board)