Committee on Foreign Affairs concludes historic visit to Syria

In the first parliamentary visit to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, MEPs focused on transitional justice, the situation of women and minorities and humanitarian issues.

Four MEPs, led by Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D, Spain), travelled to Damascus on 28-29 October where they engaged with representatives of the Syrian government, civil society and international organisations to underline the European Parliament’s continued support for the people of Syria.

In Damascus, the delegation met with Mazhar al-Wais (Minister of Justice), Musaab Nazzal al-Ali (Minister of Health), Hind Kabawat (Minister of Social Affairs and Labor), Mohammed Baraa Shukri (Director of the Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates). The delegation visited an UNRWA refugee camp in Yarmouk and was briefed on mine action by UNMAS, in addition to meetings with the acting UN Resident Coordinator and UNHCR Representative of Syria, and the Head of the UN Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic. Members also met with civil society representatives working on human rights, transitional justice, missing persons, women empowerment, peace-building and media freedom, to gain a better understanding of the conditions under which they are working and how the EU can support them.

MEPs expressed the EU's commitment to supporting a peaceful and Syrian-led political transition towards an inclusive, democratic governance model that ensures the representation, participation and equal rights of women, minorities and all members of Syrian society regardless of ethnicity or religion. Whilst noting the recent election of the People’s Assembly, they regretted that only 6 women and few minority representatives were elected to the Assembly. They stressed the importance of inclusive, transparent and credible elections being organised by the end of the transition period.

The discussions highlighted the importance of sustained EU financial and political support to Syria, but also of the need to continue to push for a fair, just, inclusive and democratic transition. The Members highlighted the need to empower Syrian civil society to play a central role in all aspects of the transition process, with the aim of ensuring that the voices of marginalised groups are heard and considered in shaping Syria's future.

MEPs stressed the importance of transitional justice and accountability for all perpetrators as fundamental building blocks for lasting peace in Syria. They welcomed the establishment of the National Authority for Transitional Justice and the National Authority for Missing Persons, and urged authorities to empower these Commissions to carry out their work and cooperate with international organisations on these matters.

Acknowledging the dire humanitarian situation, with over 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line, the delegation called on the international community to step up humanitarian support to Syria. Members highlighted that Parliament has recently proposed to increase EU funding to Syria, to strengthen humanitarian and economic assistance, as well as to UNRWA, given its vital role in the region.

The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee's visit to Syria marked a significant step in the EU's proactive engagement with Syria's political transition. This was the first official parliamentary visit to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime – the first, in fact, in 15 years. The delegation underlined the importance of transitional justice, ensuring a constitutional guarantee of inclusive governance and of adequate representation of religious and ethnic communities, as well as respect for international law as key elements of Syria’s political transition. The return to peace passes through a transition in Syria that fulfils the democratic aspirations of all its people and ensures the protection of all Syrians.

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Head of the delegation, Hana Jalloul Muro, said: “This visit comes at an important moment to reaffirm our support for a Syrian-led human-rights based and inclusive political transition in Syria. The European Parliament has been a steadfast supporter of the Syrian people and I am proud to lead the first official parliamentary visit to the country since the fall of the former regime. We must continue to support the Syrian people to fulfil their democratic aspirations and rebuild their country.”

Members of the delegation

Hana JALLOUL MURO (S&D, Spain)

Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, France)

Ingeborg TER LAAK (EPP, The Netherlands)

Hannah NEUMANN (Greens/EFA, Germany)