MEP Nikolas Farantouris urges action against ethnic cleansing in Syria

BRUSSELS — Member of European Parliament Nikolas Farantouris for Greece’s Coalition of the Radical Left (Sinaspismós Rizospastikís Aristerás – Proodeftikí Simachía, SYRIZA), a member of The Left (GUE/NGL) group, called on key European Union officials to take immediate and decisive action to halt ethnic cleansing and human rights violations in Syria. In a strongly worded letter addressed to the European Parliament President, European Council President, European Commission President, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, MEP Farantouris underscored the urgency of the escalating crisis.

Farantouris described his recent visit to Daramsuq (Damascus), where he witnessed firsthand the presence of paramilitary groups terrorizing communities, the displacement of thousands of Yezidis and Christians, and the systematic stripping of minority rights. He expressed grave concerns over the rise of extremism and the deteriorating conditions for vulnerable populations in Syria.

In his appeal, Farantouris called for the European Union to send a fact-finding mission to assess the situation on the ground. He urged EU leaders to pressure the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) to uphold human rights, implement meaningful reforms, and move forward with democratic elections. He also demanded accountability for crimes committed under the leadership of STG President Ahmad al-Sharaa, stressing the need for justice and democratic governance.

Farantouris further emphasized the importance of directing EU aid to address humanitarian needs in Syria and supporting efforts to establish an inclusive democratic government. He warned that Syria stands at a critical crossroads and insisted that the European Union must act decisively to defend the values of democracy, justice, and human rights. Failure to do so, he cautioned, would risk the loss of these principles in a region already fraught with instability.

🇪🇺 🇸🇾 Europe must act now on Syria!

Today, I sent a letter to EU Parliament President @EP_President, EU Counsil President @eucopresident, EU Commission President @vonderleyen & Vice President @kajakallas in vew of the 9th Brussels International Conference to Support Syria,… pic.twitter.com/BX65ypXUCV

— Νικόλας Φαραντούρης / Nikolas Farantouris (@NFarantouris) March 17, 2025