Solidarity declaration with protest movements in Syria

For over a week, men and women from As-Suwayda, Daraa, and various other Syrian provinces have been taking to the streets, in conjunction with covert civil activities against the Assad regime in the Syrian coast. Unyielding, even after 12 years of relentless warfare and unimaginable suffering, these individuals loudly and clearly proclaim that the Syrian people deserve enduring peace, human rights, and democracy.

As Members of the European Parliament, we stand in solidarity with these peaceful protests and underscore the significance of implementing UN Resolution 2254, which calls for a ceasefire and political settlement in Syria - a country where people have put their lives on the line, year after year, in their quest for dignity. The Assad regime should heed the lessons of history, recognizing that the use of violence cannot serve as a solution to quell the people's desire for freedom. Peoples endure, regimes change.

Despite the Assad regime's desperate efforts to circumvent the demands of the people and end the protests, the demonstrators remain resolute in their demands. Their civil action is fuelled by an economic abyss deepened by widespread corruption, mismanagement, and a staggering record of human rights abuses.

Given the prevailing circumstances, numerous Syrians perceive these recent events as a "second wave" of the Syrian revolution, sparking renewed aspirations for positive change and progress. The peaceful protests in As-Suwayda have reignited hope for numerous Syrians, illustrating that the flame of the Syrian revolution is still burning. They underline Syrians' unwavering determination to advocate for democracy and human rights, from South to North and West to East Syria. The sizable demonstrations in As-Suwayda serve as a clear testament to this enduring resilience.

The current wave of protests encapsulates a rich tapestry of Syria’s societal fabric, involving individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. This shows the movement to be as widespread as it is inclusive. Particularly significant is the robust participation of women, united under the grassroots women-led political movement known as Tal'at Souriyat. This emphasizes that any authentic political transformation in Syria necessitates the active involvement of women and the restoration of their systematically denied rights.

The unyielding unity and diversity in these protests underscore that the yearning for democratic change is universal and transcends any artificial divisions. The Syrian people have waited long enough. It is high time for the European Union to lend its full support to Syria’s transition to peace, democracy, and dignity.

MEP Katrin Langensiepen, Greens/EFA

Katrin Langensiepen (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Barry Andrews (MEP | Renew | Ireland)

Margrete Auken (MEP | Greens/EFA | Denmark)

Malin Björk (MEP | GUE/NGL | Sweden)

Anna Cavazini (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Pascal Durand (MEP | S&D | France)

Malte Gallee (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Alexandra Geese (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Henrike Hahn (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Dietmar Köster (MEP | S&D | Germany)

Erik Marquardt (MEP | Greens/EFA | Germany)

Karen Melchior (MEP | Renew | Denmark)

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (MEP | Greens/EFA | Denmark)

Maria Soraya Rodriguez Ramos (MEP | Renew | Spain)

Isabel Santos (MEP | S&D | Portugal)

Mounir Satouri (MEP | Greens/EFA | France)

Andreas Schieder (MEP | S&D | Austria)

Tineke Strik (MEP | Greens/EFA | Netherlands)

Ernest Urtasun (MEP | Greens/EFA | Spain)

Monika Vana (MEP | Greens/EFA | Austria)

Nikolaj Villumsen (MEP | GUE/NGL | Denmark)