A Year of Suffering: Syria's Minorities Tell Their Stories at European Parliament - Faith & Freedom News

An international conference entitled “Syria, One Year After: The Situation of Minorities” was organized on January 28th in the European Parliament by the European Association for The Defense of Minorities and Empower Women Media. The event brought together more than 7 Members of the European Parliament from the Women’s Rights and Foreign Affairs committees to address the urgent humanitarian crisis facing Syria’s minority communities.

Moderated by Manel Msalmi

Founder and President of the European Association for The Defense of Minorities | Expert on the Middle East and Human Rights Advocate

Voices from Syria’s Endangered Communities

🕊️

Rama Aboras

Political Activist | Representative of the Druze Syrian Community in Belgium

Rama Aboras highlighted that the Druze community is facing one of 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.”

🚨 Humanitarian Crisis in Suwayda

“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 via Zoom from Washington D.C.

Mr. Kara called on the EU and the US to act and save the lives of the Druze and 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.

“Human rights violations against the Druze and the Kurds must be stopped now. The minorities should be protected and supported, and humanitarian aid should be facilitated.”

⚖️

Sarah Abbas

Vice President & Co-Founder, Western Syria Alliance | Human Rights Advocate from the Alawite Community

Sarah Abbas focused on the latest events and the systematic and ongoing violations towards the Alawites. She emphasized that peacemakers are being detained and punished.

“The international community should hold accountable the perpetrators and support a political process calling for a state of law in Syria.”

✝️

Tony Virgili

Co-President, European Syriac Union

Tony Virgili evoked the abuses against the Christian community in Syria, including intimidations during Christmas time and attacks on churches. Religious sites were attacked by extremists, as well as historic sites in the region which has already paid the price with ISIS terrorist attacks.

“The European Syriac Union makes a clear appeal to EU leaders to take action and ensure constitutional guarantees for religious minorities in Syria, as well as equal constitutional rights to all citizens.”

🗣️

Rhodi Mellek

Representative of the Autonomous Region of Rojava in Syria | European Parliament

Rhodi Mellek 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.”

🚨 Urgent Appeal

“The international community should facilitate humanitarian aid now and stop the inhumane attacks by the Syrian forces.”

🔍

Heath Sloane

Director of Geopolitical Intelligence, Band K Agency | Joined Online

Heath Sloane 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 Al-Sharaa government.”

🎯 Key Recommendations from the Conference

Immediate Humanitarian Aid: Facilitate urgent access to clean water, food, medicine, and essential services for besieged communities
Protection of Minorities: Ensure constitutional guarantees and equal rights for all religious and ethnic minorities in Syria
Accountability: Hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable through international mechanisms
Political Process: Support a genuine political transition toward a state of law in Syria
Sanctions: Consider targeted sanctions against the Al-Sharaa government for violations against minorities
End Violence: Stop systematic attacks against Druze, Kurdish, Christian, and Alawite communities

A Strategic Investment for Peace

The debate concluded by highlighting the need to establish peace in Syria and in the region with the help of the EU and the US—a strategic investment for the West to guarantee peace and security, and to stop extremism and terrorism.

The protection of Syria’s minorities is not just a humanitarian imperative—it is essential for regional stability and the fight against extremism.