Following the press conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels, Ilham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Department of Foreign Relations of North and East Syria, and Rohilat Efrîn, Member of the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) General Command, briefed Members of the European Parliament on the situation in Rojava and their demands.
The opening speech of the conference was delivered by Evin Incir, a member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). She emphasized that while integration is important, full respect for Kurdish rights must be ensured.
Ilham Ehmed: Constitutional guarantees are necessary
Explaining the situation and demands of the Kurds in Syria, Ilham Ehmed stated that Kurdish rights must be constitutionally guaranteed. Drawing attention to the Kurdish struggle against ISIS, she said they hope to see stronger support from their allies for the Kurds to take a more substantial role in building the new Syria.
Ehmed noted that the ISIS threat continues as movements have been observed recently, adding: “For this reason, integration and military positioning must be handled correctly.”
Stating that they do not accept a two-hour Kurdish-language education right, she said this must be recognized in the constitution as a fundamental right.
‘Afrin must be governed by its own people’
Ilham Ehmed said there are problems regarding returns, noting that around 50,000 people from Afrin have been displaced multiple times and are still away from their homes. “Security and administration must be carried out by the people of Afrin. However, no steps have yet been taken in this regard,” she added.
She also stressed that Kurds must be represented within the state and ministries, and that Rojava must have local governance and its own security structure.
‘The EU must act as a guarantor for the Kurds’
Appealing to the EU, Ilham Ehmed said: “To prevent massacres, to ensure participation in the government in Damascus, and to secure constitutional recognition of Kurds and other peoples, there is a need for a guarantor mechanism with monitoring on the ground.”
Speaking after, Rohilat Efrîn stated that women are facing a radical mindset and are among those most deprived under the current system.
“The absence of guarantees creates the risk of new attacks. Women’s rights must be concretely protected,” she said.
Emphasizing that YPJ is a model for protecting women everywhere, Rohilat Efrîn added: “The dangers continue; there is a need for a guarantor.”
She stated that if such guarantees are established, YPJ would fulfill its role in both security and political spheres, adding that “the European Union should also provide support in this regard.”
‘The ISIS threat continues’
Ilham Ehmed and Rohilat Efrîn also answered questions from the attending MEPs.
Ilham Ehmed said that negotiations are ongoing to lift the siege on Kobanê and described the humanitarian situation there as severe.
Rohilat Efrîn expressed concern over reports that ISIS members joined the Syrian army and noted that ISIS militants in the camps continue to pose a threat.
“The ISIS threat continues,” Rohilat Efrîn said, adding that concerns regarding Kurdish rights persist, particularly as Kobanê remains under siege, which increases those concerns.
In response to a question, Ilham Ehmed said: “The European Parliament adopted a decision stating that Kurds must be protected, but by what mechanism will they be protected? A mechanism is needed for the protection of the Kurds. They could establish a commission on the ground to monitor both this process and the constitutional recognition of Kurdish rights.”
Criticism of the EU
Ilham Ehmed criticized the European Union for not inviting them and for not engaging in any agreements with them, despite the establishment of a democratic structure in North and East Syria.
Rohilat Efrîn noted that a transitional government has been formed in Damascus, in which, however, Kurds are not represented. Although they proposed a name for a ministerial post, no official step has been taken, she said, adding: “The greatest responsibility in this period is to stand by us.”
Answering a question, Ilham Ehmed said: “It is not true that we do not want federalism,” and pointed out that international powers, particularly the United States, have adopted a Damascus-centered approach.
“We are saying that there is a need for a decentralized system. We have made this demand. However, it has not been accepted,” she said.
Ilham Ehmed stated that significant developments could occur if the agreement is fully implemented. She noted that there is still no clarity regarding the justice system and there is information suggesting that Damascus intends to establish a Sharia-based judicial system.
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