Syrians in German Parliament: Decentralization best option for Syria's future

A discussion session was held yesterday, Friday, at the North Rhine–Westphalia State Parliament building, organized by the Green Party parliamentary bloc under the title “Syrian Components in North Rhine–Westphalia Between Exile and a New Beginning – Human Rights at Stake.”

The session addressed the conditions of Syria’s components following the fall of the Baathist regime, focusing on the continued violations committed by the transitional government against Alawites, Assyrians, Kurds, Druze, and other components. German parliamentarians, experts, and Syrian activists residing in Europe took part in the discussion.

Lamya Kaddor, a German MP from the Green Party of Syrian origin, said: “It is necessary to deal cautiously with the Syrian transitional government and to put an end to practices based on sectarian exclusion.” She added that “competence should be the criterion for appointments in Syrian government institutions, away from religious or sectarian affiliations.”

The session also highlighted the role of the state of North Rhine–Westphalia, which hosts the largest concentration of Syrians in Germany, with the number of residents of Syrian origin estimated at around 374,000. It examined the state’s follow-up on the situation of Syrian refugees and the impact of political developments in Syria on their daily lives, particularly regarding residency, integration, and civic participation.

German MP Max Lucks noted that “Germany has been slow in taking serious steps on the Syrian file, and intervention to protect human rights was required since the violent events witnessed in Sweida.” He added: “Syrian diversity is a source of strength that should be built upon, and a clear German strategy must be developed that prioritizes democracy and human rights.”

Speakers also emphasized the importance of incorporating the rights of Syria’s components into European negotiations with the Syrian transitional government, strengthening support for independent journalism to document violations, and closely monitoring the impact of German policy on the lives of Syrians in the state.

Syrian participants considered the adoption of a decentralized system in Syria to be the most appropriate option for the country’s future, as it would ensure fair participation and protect the diversity of Syria’s components.

This event comes amid ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding its role in Syria’s reconstruction, while organizers stressed that the protection of the rights of components must be a central part of any future political process.

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ANHA