The evening was opened by Aziz Beth Aho, Chair of the Aramaic Movement for Human Rights and a leading Dutch-Aramaic activist. Beth Aho, who fled Syria due to persecution, spoke movingly about the historic and ongoing suffering of Aramaic Christians.
“We still live with trauma. Aramaic Christians were murdered during the Armenian genocide because of who they were. Now we see history repeating itself: the rise of a regime of hatred, the erasure of cultural heritage, and the silencing of minorities. The international community talks about human rights but remains silent in action.”
Beth Aho warned of the transformation of Syria into a Sharia-based state, lacking basic rights and protections for ethnic and religious minorities. “What happens in Syria today can happen elsewhere. These are universal values—we must act in solidarity.”
Political Responses from The Netherlands and the EU
Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECPP/SGP), co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), underlined the importance of raising awareness in Brussels.
“There are many negative developments in Syria, including mass rapes, forced abductions and the radicalisation of schoolbooks. Syrian education now teaches children to ‘keep Jews and Christians away.’ That is completely unacceptable.”
Ruissen criticised the rehabilitation of Syria’s de facto new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has recently presented himself to the international community as a moderate reformer. “A suit and tie don’t change the facts. Sanctions were lifted too hastily by the West. Together with MEP Sander Smit, I’ve submitted a written question to the Commission. If the situation does not improve, sanctions must be reimposed.”
Ruissen also committed to organising a conference in the European Parliament on the rights of religious minorities in Syria.
Dutch MP Isa Kahraman (NSC), himself from the Aramaic community, noted that Christians and other minorities are often ignored in Western media and politics. “We are not here by choice—we fled persecution. The previous regime under Assad committed horrible crimes, but this new regime is no better. Militias drive through towns saying: ‘Convert to Islam or suffer.’ Sanctions are the very least we can do.” Kahraman called for EU member states to retain unanimity on sanction policy and warned of the dangerous presence of foreign jihadist fighters from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan within Syria.
Civil Society Voices: Alawites and Human Rights Advocacy
Meltem Halaceli, writer and member of the Association for Human Rights in Syria, shared her personal story and reflected on the systematic persecution of Alawites. “There have been no prosecutions of the crimes against humanity under the Assad regime, and now minorities are again being killed. Ethnic cleansing of Alawites is taking place. Alawites, Aramaic Christians, Kurdish and Yezidi women are in urgent need of protection.”
Halaceli noted the importance of documentation for international prosecution. Her organization is currently collecting evidence for submission to the International Criminal Court, under the guidance of Dr. Jens Kreinath.
ECPP: Defending Human Dignity and Religious Freedom
Representing the ECPP, Márton Gyöngyösi, Director for Political Relations, reaffirmed the party’s unwavering commitment to human dignity and religious freedom. “The ECPP exists to be a political voice for those who are vulnerable and often forgotten. We stand up for religious minorities—both in Europe and globally. Our Christian values demand it.”
Gyöngyösi cited ECPP’s advocacy through the Intergroup on FoRB, its call for the reappointment of the EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and its ongoing work through MEPs and partner NGOs to raise awareness and push for political action.“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is not optional—it is essential.”
The event concluded with a Q&A session, in which MEP Ruissen emphasized the need for all stakeholders—civil society, national governments, and EU institutions—to join forces to protect Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.
