Syriac lawmakers in Europe mobilize to support Christians in Syria and halt abuses against smaller components

THE HAGUE/STOCKHOLM — In a series of diplomatic and political moves this week, Syriac members of European parliaments have launched new efforts to draw international attention to what they describe as worsening conditions for Christians and smaller components in Syria. The latest initiatives came from Syriac lawmakers in the Netherlands and Sweden, who are pressing their respective governments and the broader European community to respond to reports of persecution, exclusion, and neglect of Christian communities amid Syria’s ongoing instability. 

Dutch-Syrian dialogue seeks sustainable solutions 

In The Hague, Syriac Member of Dutch Parliament Isa Kahraman, met with Issa Ibrahim, leader of the Syrian-based Civil Labor Movement (Harakat al-Shoghl al-Madani). The two discussed potential pathways to sustainable humanitarian and political solutions in Syria, underscoring the importance of aligning the future Syrian state with shared humanistic values found in Europe. 

“Our dialogue with Syriac leaders from Syria reflects our firm belief that peace in the Middle East begins with justice and inclusion for all communities,” Kahraman told reporters after the meeting. “We must move away from sectarian politics and help rebuild Syria on a foundation of dignity and coexistence.” 

Kahraman revealed that a special session is expected to be held in the Dutch parliament soon to debate the Syrian dossier. His New Social Contract party is currently pushing for three key objectives: the formation of an international fact-finding committee to investigate reported atrocities along the Syrian coast; the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to underserved regions; and targeted support for reconstruction efforts, conditioned on the protection of minority rights and the inclusion of all ethnic and religious components in future governance frameworks. 

Syriac parliamentarian warns of rising Christian persecution 

Meanwhile in Stockholm, Syriac Member of Parliament Yusuf Aydin issued a strong statement on the deteriorating status of Christians across the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria. Addressing fellow legislators and the media, Aydin warned that Christians remain among the most persecuted religious groups globally. 

“Millions of Christians live under repression—particularly in regions where extremist ideologies have taken root,” he said. “In Syria, we have seen entire communities subjected to ethnic cleansing and massacres carried out by radical militias.” 

Aydin called on the Swedish government and international bodies to take immediate action, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect Christian Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Syriacs, as well as Yazidis and other endangered smaller components. 

“As Islamic fundamentalism continues to rise in some corners of the region, it is vital that democracies like Sweden champion the rights of those whose voices are often silenced,” Aydin said. “These communities have been the stewards of ancient civilizations. We cannot allow them to disappear under our watch.” 

A broader European response? 

Both lawmakers are urging a coordinated European response, combining humanitarian aid, policy reforms, and accountability mechanisms to address Syria’s minority crisis. While their voices represent only a fraction of European legislative bodies, Syriac MPs like Kahraman and Aydin are becoming increasingly influential in shaping discourse on Middle East policy, particularly concerning religious and ethnic diversity. 

For now, their efforts reflect a broader desire among diaspora leaders to bridge the gap between European political systems and the ancestral homelands of their communities—where the fight for survival continues.