An international conference entitled “Syria ,one year after ,the situation of Minorities “was organised on January 28th in the European Parliament by the European Association for The Defense of Minorities and Empower Women Media andwith the presence of more than 7 Meps from the women’s rights and Foreign Affairs committee .The debate was moderated by Manel Msalmi, founder and president of the European Association for The Defense of Minorities and expert on the Middle East.
Mep Tertsh introduced the debate by showing solidarity with all the minorities in Syria and ensuring that EU political leaders mainly in foreign affairs committee group are following closely the human rights situation in the region following the latest developments.
Rama Aboras, a political activist and a representative of the Druze Syrian community in Belgium highlighted that the Druze community is facing one the most difficult moments in history “Druze religious leaders were publicly humiliated through degrading acts, such as the forced cutting of mustaches.
Civilians were executed in their homes and in the streets simply because they are Druze—men and women, children and elderly people alike.Today, Suwayda is facing a serious humanitarian crisis. There is a severe lack of clean drinking water, food, and medicine”
Mr Ayoub Kara, former Israeli minister of Communication from the Druze community joined online via zoom from Washington D.C and called the EU as well as the US to act and save the lives of the Druze and the minority groups in Syria .He has consistently advocated for the protection of Syria’s Druze minority, particularly amid the country’s civil war and regional instability. He highlighted that human rights violations against the Druze and the Kurds must be stopped now and that the Minorities should be protected and supported and that humanitarian aid should be facilitated.
Sarah Abbas,vice president and co-founder of western Syria Alliance and human rights advocate from the Alaouite community focused on the latest events and the systematic and ongoing violations towards the Alaouites. She added that peace makers are detained and punished and that the international community should hold accountable the perpetrators and that a political process should be supported calling for a state of law in Syria .
Tony Virgili, Co-President of the European Syriac Union evoked the abuses against the Christian community in Syria including the intimidations during Christmas time and the attack on the church. Religious sites were attacked by the extremists as well as historic sites in the region which has already paid the price with Isis terrorist attacks. ESU co-chair made a clear appeal to the EU leaders to take action and ensure constitutional guarantees for the religious minorities in Syria as well as equal constitutional rights to all citizens.
Rhodi Mellek ,a representative of the autonomous region of Rojava in Syria in the European Parliament mentioned the suffering of the Kurdish community in Syria following the latest developments “Children were being killed, women were arrested and tortured. You can see our situation and how we were forced to flee.”The Kurdish people fought with the international coalition against Isis and now they are left alone without protection, they have no water ,electricity, no internet, babies and children are dying .The international community should facilitate humanitarian aid now and stop the inhumane attacks by the Syrian forces.
Finally Heath Sloane, the director of Geopolitical intelligence at Band K Agency joined online and highlighted the gender-based violence used by extremists to target Minorities in Syria such as abduction and sexual violence. The EU Response should protect the minorities and sanction the AlSharaa government.
The debate was concluded by highlighting the need to establish peace in Syria and in the region with the help of the EU and the US which is a strategic investment for the west to guarantee peace and security and stop extremism and terrorism .
Mep Correa concluded the debate by highlighting the significant worries about the stability of Syria, stressing the dangers of prematurely lifting sanctions and underscoring the importance of addressing Islamic terrorist organizations in the area. He has concentrated on safeguarding the minorities rights and thwarting the proliferation of terrorism.