5 Minority Rights in Syria

This chapter seeks to examine and analyse the history and legislative provisions to protect ‘minorities’ in Syria. It offers an explanation of how these can be identified in a state that has been effectively ruled by a minority community, seeking to provide explanations and a context for this rule. A significant focus of the chapter lies on what we view as sectarian entrepreneurialism which plays a significant role in the events that played out in Syria in 2012. The identity politics that took root under Bashar Al-Asad provided a ready-made framework within which religious, social, and political divisions are articulated. Alawis, Druze, Palestinians (a majority of whom are Sunni) and Christians in Syria, whilst comprising a demographic minority, have either forged an uneasy alliance under Asad or have endeavoured to remain ‘neutral’.