A Gathering in Paris: Macron's Demand for Minority Protection in Syria
Discussion in Paris: Macron Urges Security for Syrian Minorities against al-Schaara Threats - Gathering in Paris: Macron exhorts al-Sharara to safeguard Syria's minority groups
Emmanual Macron, the French President, has made it clear that Syria isn't a target for lessons, but the rampant atrocities committed against religious minorities have sounded alarm bells among Syria's friends. The Syrian leadership, under Ahmad al-Shaara, must take immediate action to ensure legal prosecution and punishment for the perpetrators. Moreover, EU sanctions should be imposed on those responsible, Macron declared.
Regarding the protection of all Syrians, al-Shaara has asserted that it's his government's top priority. Simultaneously, he presses for the lifting of sanctions imposed on his country, arguing that they now predominantly harm the Syrian people instead of the ousted authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad.
This visit to Paris marked al-Shaara's first European trip as the head of state. During their discussion, Macron expressed a possible removal of EU sanctions against Syria, contingent upon the political stability of the country. He also urged the USA to relieve sanctions under certain conditions while emphasizing the importance of the US military continuing its combat against jihadist militias in Syria, particularly ISIS.
Despite repeated assurances from the new Syrian leadership regarding the protection of minorities, there have been instances of ruthless attacks against religious minorities such as the Alawites. In March, there was a wave of brutal killings in regions primarily inhabited by Alawites. Last week, heated conflicts between government forces and members of the Druze minority attracted international criticism, leading to the deaths of numerous Druze.
The visit of al-Shaara, previously known as the Islamist HTS militia's leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, faced criticism. Protests organized by representatives of various Syrian minority groups, including Druze, Alawites, Christians, and Sunnis, took place in Paris prior to al-Shaara's meeting with Macron. The protesters passionately voiced their demand for al-Shaara to leave, referencing his past connections to extremist groups.
Prior to meeting Macron, al-Shaara had a private conversation with Syria's codename "Caesar," who had escaped the country in 2013 with more than 53,000 images of torture victims. "Caesar" (real name: Farid al-Madhan) hid these images on a USB stick as he fled Syria just two years into the Syrian civil war. These images, verified as authentic, portrayed thousands of victims of brutal torture at the hands of the Syrian state. These photographs served as evidence in trials related to murder, torture, and war crimes in Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
Evading his real identity for a long time, "Caesar" finally revealed his true name in a February interview on Al-Jazeera TV station. These revelations have further maintained international attention and pressure on the Syrian government to address these heinous crimes.
Extra Insights:
- The European Union is easing its sanctions on Syria by suspending measures impacting Syria's oil, gas, electricity sectors, and transport, including aviation. This decision reflects a strategic adjustment considering the evolving political context in Syria.
- The US sanctions against Syria remain unchanged, with no official indication of when or if they might be lifted.
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France, called on the Syrian leadership, led by Ahmad al-Shaara, to take immediate action to prosecute the perpetrators of atrocities against religious minorities in Syria.
- Macron also suggested lifting EU sanctions against Syria, contingent upon the country's political stability, during his meeting in Paris with al-Shaara.
- The US army was urged by Macron to continue its combat against jihadist militias, including ISIS, in Syria.
- Despite promises from the new Syrian leadership about minority protection, there have been reports of attacks against religious minorities such as the Alawites and the Druze in Syria.
- Prior to the meeting between al-Shaara and Macron in Paris, protests were organized by Syrian minority groups, such as the Druze, Alawites, Christians, and Sunnis, opposition to al-Shaara's past connections to extremist groups.
- The European Union has eased some of its sanctions on Syria, suspending measures impacting Syria's oil, gas, electricity sectors, and transport, in response to changing political circumstances in Syria.
