Brussels – Yesterday, ten Members of the European Parliament called for an international investigation into the events and violations that took place in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, in mid-June.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, the MPs expressed deep concern over the violence in southern Syria.
The MPs stated that Syrian government forces launched wide-scale attacks on Suwayda and imposed a siege that led to the total collapse of infrastructure sectors including health, food, water, energy, transport, and communications.
They accused the Syrian government of violating international humanitarian law and international human rights treaties and seeking to entrench an authoritarian regime that suppresses pluralism, restricts civil society, and transforms media into a propaganda tool.
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The letter highlighted the absence of any serious commitment to transitional justice, which exacerbates divisions and paves the way for a comprehensive civil war threatening regional and international stability.
The MPs noted that their concerns are based on UN, human rights, and media reports documenting violations against civilians, including deliberate destruction of homes, forced displacement, kidnappings, disappearances, and mass killings; some amounting to genocidal intent.
According to the letter, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen reported the displacement of approximately 175,000 people, most of whom fled to areas lacking basic living conditions.
The MPs called for accountability of those responsible for the violations, including the ministers of defence, interior, information, energy, and communications. They urged pressure to lift the siege on Suwayda, ensure delivery of essential services, and reopen roads connecting the governorate to other parts of Syria.
They stressed rejecting any attempts by the Syrian government to consolidate autocratic rule, linking any European support for Syria’s reconstruction programs to respect for human rights and minority protections.
Furthermore, the MPs demanded support for the constitutional process and the conduct of free and fair democratic elections at the earliest opportunity. They also called for sending a European fact-finding mission or parliamentary delegation to monitor developments in southern Syria.
The MPs condemned repeated Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, emphasizing their role in complicating the conflict and hindering peace efforts.
Finally, they urged EU members of the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session on the situation in southern Syria.
