Syrians in the German Parliament: Decentralization is a Proposed Option for Syria’s Future
On Friday, a discussion session was held at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament building in Germany, organized by the Green Party bloc under the title “Syrian Components in North Rhine-Westphalia: Between Exile and New Beginnings – Human Rights at Stake,” to discuss the situation of Syrian communities and the political developments in Syria.
The session included German parliamentarians, as well as experts and Syrian activists residing in Europe. The discussion focused on the status of Syrian communities after the fall of the Baathist regime, with emphasis on human rights issues, diversity, and the challenges facing Syrian refugees in Germany.
German parliamentarian Lamia Kadour, from the Green Party, stated that dealing with the Syrian transitional government must be done with caution. She emphasized the need to stop exclusionary practices and to rely on competence-based criteria in government appointments, rather than sectarian or religious affiliations.
The session highlighted the role of North Rhine-Westphalia, which hosts the largest Syrian community in Germany, with an estimated 374,000 Syrian residents. The discussion also covered how the political developments in Syria impact issues related to residency, integration, and community participation.
German parliament member Max Luks stressed the importance of having a clear German policy towards the Syrian file, prioritizing democracy and human rights. He noted that Syrian diversity is a strength that can be built upon.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of including the rights of Syrian components in European discussions with the Syrian transitional government and supporting independent journalism in documenting violations.
Some Syrian participants in the session considered the adoption of a decentralized system in Syria to be one of the viable options for the country’s future, as it would provide broader participation mechanisms and protect societal diversity.
This event comes amid ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding the EU’s role in the political process and the reconstruction of Syria. Organizers stressed that human rights issues must be central to any future path.
