Syrian human rights activist Ribal al-Assad criticized Europe for lifting sanctions against Syria’s new “terrorist” regime, warning that the new leadership is no better than Bashar al-Assad. The interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed a temporary constitution putting the country under Islamist rule for at least five years. Al-Sharaa’s government has been accused of engaging in a revenge killing spree, targeting low-level officers who were conscripted into Assad’s armed forces, along with Alawite and Christian minorities. Al-Assad highlighted concerns that the new regime is aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate and replace dictatorship with a theocracy.
Many in Syria were relieved to see Bashar al-Assad overthrown, but religious and ethnic minorities have remained skeptical of the new leadership associated with al Qaeda. Al-Assad raised concerns that Christians and Alawites were facing retribution alongside each other due to their close coexistence in certain areas. Despite the ousting of Assad, the international community has been divided on how to engage with the new regime, as the U.S. maintains punitive financial measures while Europe suspended sanctions on the Syrian government. Al-Assad urged for a more cautious approach from the international community to ensure that human rights are protected.
The situation in Syria has escalated into sectarian violence, with government forces quelling an insurgency by armed militia loyal to Assad. Rights groups have reported hundreds of civilian casualties, particularly among the Alawite minority sect, which Assad belongs to. The United Nations has raised alarm over the massacres and called for accountability for those responsible. The new constitution drafted by al-Sharaa’s government has faced criticism for exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and failing to adequately protect Syria’s diverse ethnic communities. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council rejected the document, arguing that it did not reflect genuine national consensus and called for a rewrite.
Despite the challenges facing Syria, al-Assad remains hopeful for the establishment of a genuine representative democracy in the country. He emphasized the need for the United States to intervene to prevent the rise of an Islamist extremist regime in the Mediterranean, which could pose a threat to Europe and the U.S. Al-Assad expressed concerns about the potential for the new regime to recruit militants who could pose a security risk to neighboring countries and beyond. He called on the U.S. to support the Syrian people in moving towards a democratic system that upholds human rights and protects the rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
The international community has been urged to closely monitor the situation in Syria and hold the new regime accountable for any human rights violations or extremist activities. There are ongoing concerns about the potential for the regime to expand its influence beyond Syria’s borders and pose a threat to regional stability. Al-Assad highlighted the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting the rights of all Syrians, particularly vulnerable minorities who are at risk of persecution. The need for a coordinated and proactive approach from the U.S. and Europe to address the Syrian crisis and prevent further bloodshed has been underscored by activists and rights groups.
