EU Commits €2.5 Billion to Syria Amidst Human Rights Violations

The European Union has pledged €2.5 billion to aid Syria, amidst reports of serious violence against Christians and minorities by the HTS-linked government. The Ninth Brussels Conference on Syria raised €5.8 billion overall. Critiques arise regarding the lack of condemnation for the atrocities linked to the new regime, raising concerns about the EU’s priorities in humanitarian efforts versus human rights.

The European Union has committed €2.5 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria, despite recent reports of widespread violence against Christians and other minorities attributed to militants linked to the new Syrian government. This pledge was part of a total of €5.8 billion raised during the Ninth Brussels Conference on Syria, held on March 17. The civil unrest in Syria has persisted since its inception in 2011, leading to the dire need for international support.

In addition to the EU’s contribution, several member states also made significant financial pledges, including Germany’s €300 million and the United Kingdom’s €190 million. Notably, this annual conference, hosted by the EU since 2017, proceeded without Bashar al-Assad’s government, which fell to the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) last year. Instead, EU leaders welcomed Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the newly appointed foreign minister.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas characterized Assad’s government as a dictatorship but refrained from discussing the current leadership’s ongoing atrocities. She stated, “It’s high time that all Syrians can live safely in peace.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her hopes for Syria to evolve into a nation where equality prevails, emphasizing the need for the eradication of sectarian violence.

Conversely, there are concerns about the EU’s approach. Critics argue that the acknowledgement of HTS’s role in the massacre of approximately 7,000 Christians and Alawites has been glaringly absent. Reports and social media evidence depict horrifying killings of minority groups, challenging the narrative of reconciliation. The new head of the Syrian government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is connected to ISIS and formerly led the al-Qaeda linked Al-Nusra Front, while Asaad Hassan al-Shibani oversaw the transformation of Al-Nusra into HTS, which is classified as a terrorist organization by both the EU and the United Nations.

In a recent incident, the European Parliament’s leftist-centrist majority did not condemn the killings attributed to government-affiliated militias, despite overwhelming evidence of violence. Instead, they endorsed the new government, raising questions about the EU’s commitment to human rights in the region.

In conclusion, the European Union’s pledge of €2.5 billion to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria stands in stark contrast to the alarming reports of violence against Christians and minorities by the newly established Syrian government and its affiliates. While the EU aims for a future of equality and peace in Syria, critics emphasize the need for accountability regarding the ongoing atrocities committed against vulnerable populations. As the situation remains complex, the commitment to addressing humanitarian needs should not overshadow the serious human rights violations occurring in the region.

Original Source: europeanconservative.com