The Confederation of Kurds in Germany (KON-MED), in a statement issued ahead of the visit of the leader of the Syrian Transitional Government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to Berlin, emphasized that the invitation is not merely a diplomatic contact but also carries political meaning for the peoples in Syria who are subjected to severe human rights violations. KON-MED stated that the fact that this visit is taking place at a time when attacks against different groups—especially Alawites, Druze, Kurds, and Christians—are continuing sends the message that these violations are being ignored.
KON-MED recalled that attacks against civilians and minorities by the Syrian Transitional Government and forces affiliated with it have also been reflected in international reports, stating that politically legitimizing Shara under such conditions would strengthen a culture of impunity. The statement also noted that the fate of journalists Eva Maria Michelman and Ahmed Polat, who disappeared in Raqqa in January 2026, has still not been clarified, which has further intensified the reaction to the visit. KON-MED stressed that no normalization process can be accepted without shedding light on such cases.
Calling directly on the German government, KON-MED demanded an end to political support for Ahmed al-Sharaa and stated that attacks on Rojava must be clearly condemned and that recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria should be placed on the agenda.
KON-MED Co-Chair Emine Ruken Akça, in her evaluation of the issue, said that hosting Shara in Berlin is unacceptable in light of the current situation and emphasized that Germany must tie any relations it establishes to fundamental criteria such as human rights, the rule of law, freedom of expression, and respect for minority rights. Akça recalled that under Shara’s administration there has been an increase in cases of kidnapping, threats, and violence against women and girls, that systematic attacks against Rojava continue, and that targeted attacks against Christians persist. She also stated that the continued uncertainty about the fate of the missing journalists creates a serious responsibility, adding that if German officials fail to raise these issues, the content of the meetings will be questioned.
Pointing out that economic relations will also be discussed during the meetings, Akça stressed that these relations should not proceed unconditionally. She emphasized that concrete conditions such as recognition of the Autonomous Administration, guarantees for minority rights, and the end of attacks against women must form the basis of any engagement. Akça also said that an approach that does not recognize the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) cannot be accepted and warned that such relations could pave the way for new massacres of women.
KON-MED Co-Chair Kerem Gök stated in his remarks that the planned meetings in Berlin amount to covering up crimes committed in Syria, saying that while Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and Christians continue their search for security and justice, the German government is ignoring this reality. Gök said Germany is opening its doors not to peace but to an actor representing fear, exile, and violence, emphasizing that what Syria needs is not the legitimization of an Islamist administration but support for the democratic forces in Rojava.
At the end of the statement, KON-MED called for protests against Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Berlin. Announcing that a protest will be held on March 30 in front of the Federal Chancellery under the leadership of the Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) and the Kurdish Community of Berlin-Brandenburg, KON-MED invited all democratic forces to show solidarity. The statement stressed the need to oppose the normalization of violence and authoritarian structures and called for strengthening solidarity based on the democratic gains in Rojava and the struggle for women’s freedom.
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