On a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria
A-9-2024-0041
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nathalie Loiseau
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
Parliament's draft recommendation asks the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President / High Representative to keep up pressure on the Assad regime and refuse normalisation of relations unless UN Security Council Resolution 2254 is implemented.¶¶ It calls for continued EU sanctions targeted at those involved in repression, with clear humanitarian exemptions, and for action against Captagon trafficking that uses Europe as a transit zone.¶¶ It urges justice for crimes committed in Syria, including universal jurisdiction, a European fund for victims, and sanctions on those responsible for abuses.¶¶ It asks the international community to increase humanitarian aid to the 15.3 million Syrians who depend on it, to keep the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossings open for at least 12 months, and states that Syria is not a safe country for refugee returns.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that Parliament adopt the recommendation, opposing any normalisation with the Assad regime without implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, stressing the fight against impunity, and calling for increased humanitarian aid.¶
Key points
- Reaffirms EU support for Syria's democratic aspirations and denounces contracts giving Russia and Iran access to the country's resources at the expense of Syrians.¶
- Holds the regime personally responsible for half a million civilian deaths, mass displacement, torture and forced disappearance of no fewer than 112 713 people, and chemical weapons use.¶
- Opposes any normalisation with the Assad regime unless UN Security Council Resolution 2254 is implemented, including release of political prisoners and information for families of the missing.¶
- Calls for targeted EU sanctions with humanitarian exemptions, harmonised interpretation by member states, and application of UN Security Council Resolution 2664 on humanitarian aid.¶¶
- Supports Syrian demonstrators and civil society, condemns religious discrimination and antisemitic propaganda, and insists on the rights of all ethnic and religious minorities.¶
- Deplores foreign bases and militias on Syrian territory, condemns Turkish military actions and occupation in the north, and supports the international coalition against ISIS until its complete elimination.¶
- Urges member states to repatriate their nationals from the Al-Hol and Roj camps, try them in fair trials, and repatriate all European children with adequate support.¶
- Calls for countering Russian and Iranian disinformation about Syria, including in Arabic, and for online platforms to recruit Arabic-speaking moderators.¶
- Welcomes international arrest warrants against Bashar Al-Assad, Maher Al-Assad and two generals, and the ICJ order directing Syria to prevent torture.¶
- Urges member states to exchange information on war criminals whose asylum applications are rejected, and to establish a European fund for victims of serious violations of international law in Syria.¶
- Urges the international community at the 2024 Brussels Conference to increase humanitarian assistance to the 15.3 million Syrians who depend on it, focusing on water, energy, healthcare and education.¶
- Condemns Russia's vetoes on aid deliveries, asks the Commission and member states to keep the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossings open for at least 12 months, and states Syria is not a safe country for returns.¶¶
Who is affected
- The Council, the Commission and the Vice-President / High Representative, who are asked to act on the recommendations.¶
- EU member states, asked to refrain from weakening the common EU position on Syria and to implement universal jurisdiction.¶¶
- Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, whom the text says cannot safely return to Syria.¶
- Host countries Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, reminded that Syria is not a safe country for returns.
- International humanitarian organisations, to be granted clear exemptions and access through border crossings.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 112 713 people forcibly disappeared under the regime's mass arbitrary detention system.¶
- 15.3 million Syrians in need of humanitarian aid and protection.¶
- At least 12 months: the period for which the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossings should remain open.¶
- 13 January 2024: date until which the government granted access through Bab al-Hawa.
- 13 February 2024: date until which the government granted access through Bab al-Salam and al-Rai.
- EUR 30 billion contributed by the EU and its member states since 2011.¶
- EUR 3.8 billion pledged by the EU at the June 2023 Brussels Conference out of a total of EUR 5.6 billion.
- USD 57 billion: estimated value of the Captagon market.¶