Demonstrations against Syrian leader's visit to Berlin (January 19 & 20)

Please note: The meeting place for the rally on January 19 at 4 p.m. has changed.

To protest against the visit of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to Berlin, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) and the Kurdish Community of Germany will hold a vigil in front of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Monday, January 19, 2026. It will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The STP had previously sent a letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz asking him to withdraw the invitation to the Syrian leader and to disinvite him. With the vigil under the slogan “No deals with the Islamist al-Sharaa, Mr. Merz!”, the STP also wants to draw attention to the current crimes of the regime in Syria.

At 4 p.m. on Monday, a joint rally will take place at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (not in front of the Federal Chancellery as originally planned), organized by the Alevi Community of Germany, the Society for Threatened Peoples, Hawar Help e.V., the Kurdish Community of Germany, and the Union of Syrian Alawites in Europe e.V. In a joint appeal, the organizations sharply criticize the German government's decision to receive al-Sharaa in Berlin: "Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Germany is a political decision – and that is precisely why it is highly unacceptable. It must be canceled immediately. The situation in Syria is dramatic. Civilians are being persecuted solely because of their ethnic or religious affiliation. Houses are being destroyed, people are being dragged from their homes, and hospitals are being attacked."

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the STP will support a vigil in front of the Federal Chancellery starting at 10 a.m., organized by Hawar Help e.V., the Berlin Refugee Council, Cênî, Pena.ger e.V., Tareq Alaows, and Omar Alkadamani.

Important note: The vigil at the Brandenburg Gate originally announced by the STP for Tuesday, January 20, has been moved to the above date and location due to the demonstrations against al-Sharaa's visit. There will be no action at the Brandenburg Gate.

You can reach Dr. Kamal Sido, Middle East consultant at the STP, at k.sido@stp.de or 0173/6733980.

If you have any questions about the event planning, please contact Gerrit Hofert, campaign officer at the STP, on Monday, January 19, at 0176/10015520.

This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at presse@gfbv.de.