While statements in Parliament emphasized human rights and the rule of law, it was notable that calls for concrete sanctions against the Turkish state-backed Jolani (al-Sharaa) administration, which has been attacking Rojava since 6 January, remained weak. In other words, the impression emerged that there is no serious will to take binding and effective action against the attacks on Rojava.
Iratxe García Pérez, President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, stated that universal values must be protected, but did not issue a clear criticism or call for sanctions regarding the attacks on Rojava or the planned financial support for the Jolani administration.
Nicola Procaccini, Co-President of the European Conservatives and Reformists, said they welcomed the overthrow of the Assad regime and expressed hope that the new administration would treat minorities better.
Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe, voiced concerns about Syria’s transitional process, while largely placing responsibility on national governments.
Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/European Free Alliance, emphasized that all minorities, including Kurds, must be protected and called on the European Union to apply diplomatic pressure and allocate direct funding to Kurdish regions. However, no clear mechanism was presented for how these steps would be implemented.
The strongest criticism came from the Left Group in the European Parliament. Co-President Martin Schirdewan condemned the Jolani administration’s attacks on Kurdish regions in Rojava and Aleppo, describing the European Commission’s planned 620 million euro support package as “madness.” He warned that the release of ISIS members to fight against the Kurds poses serious risks to European security.
The Left Group called for the recognition of Kurdish autonomy, the establishment of direct diplomatic relations with Rojava, and the suspension of financial support for the Jolani administration.
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