The Kurds in Syria The Forgotten People

This is the first book to focus on the plight of the Kurds in Syria. The Kurds are Syria's largest minority, and continue to be subject to extreme human rights abuses. Along with Kerim Yildiz's other recent books -- The Kurds in Iraq, and the Kurds in Turkey -- this builds on his comprehensive analysis of the current human rights situation for the largest ethnic group worldwide without its own state. Yildiz examines the contemporary situation of the Syrian Kurds in the context of Syria's own history, and the present situation where it is outlawed as a terrorist state by the USA. Fifty percent of Syria's income now goes on military spending -- for Syria feels threatened by her neighbours, and this is mirrored in the way minorities are treated within the country.Covering all aspects of Kurdish life including language, education, religion and history, Yildiz offers a unique insight into the human rights situation of the Kurds in Syria.

Kerim Yildiz is a leading human rights defender and Executive Director of the Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP). He has been awarded by the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights for his services to protect human rights and promote the rule of law and is a board member of other human rights and environmental organisations. KHRP was most recently shortlisted for the Liberty/ Justice/ Law Society Human Rights Awards in 2004.

Yildiz is also the author of The Kurds in Iraq (Pluto Press, 2004) and the forthcoming The Kurds in Turkey.