MPs Ceder and Kahraman: Dutch government must take decisive action within the EU to protect the rights of religious and ethnic groups in Syria

THE HAGUE — Syriac Member of Dutch Parliament Isa Kahraman (New Social Contract) and Member of Parliament Don Ceder (Christian Union) have jointly submitted a motion in the Lower House calling on the Dutch government to “come with concrete proposals in EU context to protect minorities in Syria, including ceasing foreign support to and disarming the militias.” They argue that Syrians of all religious and ethnic backgrounds should be protected in the country, in line with recent EU statements. 

According to Kahraman and Ceder, this is urgently needed because in recent days some 1,000 people have been killed in flaring violence in Syria, both in attacks by militias affiliated and unaffiliated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a group formerly referred to as terrorist but now the current rulers who form the Transitional Government with President Ahmed Sharaa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports approximately 745 civilian deaths, 125 government security personnel and 148 militants linked to the Syrian transitional authorities. 

The West is closely monitoring developments in Syria, sanctions will be eased only if progress is made on human rights, inclusiveness and democratic values.

The joint Ceder-Kahraman motion was adopted with 147 votes in favor and 3 votes against. The only party that voted against was DENK, considered a pro-Turkey party in the Dutch parliament. 

Kahraman has previously expressed deep concern about the situation in Syria. Last week, partly on his imitative, a roundtable discussion was held in the Dutch parliament where representatives of smaller but original population groups such as the Syriacs (Arameans-Assyrians-Chaldeans), Alevites, and Kurds were all able to speak about their future Syria. In February, Syriac MP Yusuf Aydin made a similar appeal to the Swedish government to exert international pressure and take timely action to protect minorities in Syria.

For the article in Arabic see here

Mijn zorgen geuit over de ernstige situatie in Syrië. NSC heeft daarom de motie mede-ingediend die oproept tot ontwapening en uitzetting van de milities in Syrië, want ‘Syrië moet van de Syriërs zijn’. pic.twitter.com/QRKrr3bfQW

— Isa Kahraman (@isakahraman) March 13, 2025