Page 1 — Introduction and Context 
Syria’s brutal civil war has not only devastated the nation’s infrastructure and economy but has also fuelled targeted persecution of religious and ethnic minorities. Groups such as Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, and Druze have faced harassment, displacement, and violence at the hands of both state and non-state actors. 

This persecution has triggered a mass exodus, as minority communities flee in search of safety and survival. Their plight underscores the wider collapse of pluralism in Syria and the dangerous rise of sectarianism. 

Page 2 — Historical and Political Background 
Syria has long been a mosaic of ethnic and religious groups, with significant Christian, Kurdish, Druze, and Alawite populations coexisting alongside the Sunni Arab majority. While authoritarian rule suppressed overt sectarian conflict, it also entrenched systemic discrimination. 

The outbreak of civil war in 2011 shattered this fragile balance. Extremist groups such as ISIS targeted minorities for enslavement, forced conversions, and executions. Meanwhile, government forces and allied militias carried out collective punishments, particularly against Kurdish and Sunni communities in contested areas. 

Page 3 — Forms of Persecution 
Religious and ethnic minorities in Syria have suffered persecution in many forms: 

- Violence and massacres: targeted killings by extremist groups and militias. 
- Forced displacement: millions uprooted from ancestral homelands. 
- Cultural destruction: attacks on churches, mosques, and heritage sites. 
- Enslavement and abuse: Yazidi women subjected to sexual slavery under ISIS. 
- Systemic discrimination: limited access to political representation and basic services. 

These abuses have left entire communities fractured and in exile. 

Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society 
For minorities, persecution means loss of home, culture, and identity. Many survivors now live as refugees in Lebanon, Turkey, Europe, and beyond. Displacement has created diasporas that struggle to preserve their traditions while integrating into new societies. 

For Syria, the exodus of minorities erodes its historic pluralism and deepens sectarian divides. The loss of skilled and diverse communities also weakens the prospects of national recovery. Internationally, Syria is condemned for its failure to protect vulnerable populations, while neighbouring countries bear the burden of refugee influxes. 

Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion 
Protecting minorities is essential for any lasting peace in Syria. 

Key steps include: 
- International accountability: prosecute crimes against minorities in international courts. 
- Protection in exile: provide refugees with rights, support, and opportunities. 
- Reconstruction with inclusion: ensure minority voices in rebuilding Syria’s political and social institutions. 
- Interfaith and interethnic dialogue: promote reconciliation to counter sectarianism. 
- Global cooperation: support humanitarian agencies assisting displaced minorities. 

Until these reforms are enacted, targeted persecution will continue to drive Syria’s minorities into exile, leaving the country fractured and its diversity at risk of permanent loss.