European Syriac Union calls for global action against genocide and Turkish aggression

BRUSSLES — The European Syriac Union (ESU) issued a powerful call to unite global efforts against the ongoing policies of genocide targeting vulnerable populations worldwide. The ESU condemned the barbaric crimes committed by dictatorial regimes, which they described as systematic violations of human rights and dignity.

The statement noted that while some oppressive regimes, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, have collapsed, the systems that replaced them often lacked democratic values. These new regimes continued to control societies through violence, power monopolies, and the suppression of freedoms.

Citing historical and contemporary examples, the ESU highlighted the fall of Iraq’s Baath regime in 2003, which initially brought hope for change. However, similar patterns emerged in Syria, where the regime was overthrown on 8 December of this year after 14 years of crisis. Although a glimmer of hope arose, the ESU stated that it was quickly extinguished by the Turkish government, led by the Justice and Development Party and the Nationalist Movement Party, which has perpetrated heinous crimes and genocides against the region’s peoples.

The ESU drew parallels to the 1915 Sayfo Genocide, asserting that the forces behind those atrocities continue their persecution today. They specifically criticized Turkey’s occupation of Kobane and other regions in North and East Syria, citing the suffering of Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans), Kurds, Yezidis, Druze, and Alawites under Turkish aggression.

Calling for international accountability, the ESU urged institutions and states, including the United Nations, United States, European Union, Vatican, World Council of Churches, and Arab nations to hold Turkey accountable for its actions. They emphasized the need to stop Turkey’s crimes against regional populations and humanity as a whole.

Additionally, the Union called for increased coordination with the Democratic Autonomous Administration in the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) and urged respect for democratic principles. They advocated for a democratic, secular, pluralistic, and federal Syria and proposed initiating dialogue among representatives of Syria’s diverse communities. This dialogue, they asserted, is essential for forming a civil government capable of halting genocides and protecting the rights of Christians and other minorities.