Massacres in Syria: Do minority groups such as the Druze or the Christians have a future in Syria?

The situation in Syria is escalating dramatically. According to the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) and the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), far more than 200 Druze have been killed in the province of Suwaida within a few days. Also, other religious groups such as the Alawites and the Christians are increasingly being targeted by Islamist militias and other armed groups that have taken control of large parts of the country following the fall of the Assad regime.

In light of these worrying developments, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) are holding an online press conference on Thursday, July 24, at 11:00 am. Together with representatives of the affected communities, we would like to provide information about the precarious situation in Syria, give current assessments, and discuss possible humanitarian measures.

Participation via the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82063670611?pwd=33VUDvnx9n4aGzPHehhfjtNJPJ0mo2.1

Background

The situation of religious minorities in Syria is becoming increasingly dire. In recent days, there has been a wave of violence in the province of Suwaida, which is predominantly inhabited by Druze. According to consistent reports from human rights organizations, local sources, and international media, hundreds of Druze – including many civilians – were barbarously killed. The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) see this as an act of deliberate ethnic cleansing.

Responsible for this are the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia, which has seized power in Syria, as well as other militias that have invaded residential areas, attacked medical infrastructure, and used drones against local defenders. Videos and eyewitness reports tell of humiliation, abuse, and targeted killings. Christian and Alawite communities are affected as well. The recent riots in Düsseldorf, in which demonstrators from Syria and Kurdistan were attacked by HTS sympathizers, show how far these tensions are spilling over into Europe.

At the same time, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the protection of Christians and religious minorities in Syria, but there is hardly an audible international response – even as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate and the local population calls for protection.

In view of these alarming developments, the ISHR and the STP are organizing an online press conference to draw attention to the threats, to give those affected a voice, and to draw attention to the need for action.

Contact

Dr. Kamal Sido (STP): k.sido@gfbv.de or +49 173 6733980

Valerio Krüger (ISHR): presse@igfm.de or +49 69 420108-11