Syrian rights activist Ribal al-Assad condemns Europe for supporting new Islamist regime

Syrian human rights activist Ribal al-Assad has strongly criticized Europe for lifting sanctions against the new regime in Syria, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Al-Assad, who is a cousin of the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, warned that the new regime, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is no better than the previous dictatorship.

The new government, which has put Syria under Islamist rule for at least five years, has been accused of carrying out a revenge killing spree targeting low-level officers who were conscripted into Assad’s armed forces, as well as Alawite and Christian minorities. Al-Assad pointed out that many of these individuals had no choice but to serve in Assad’s forces and were now being targeted for retribution.

Describing the new regime as an Islamic caliphate seeking to establish a theocracy, al-Assad expressed concern that the European Commission and the Biden administration had lifted sanctions on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. He criticized Europe for rewarding the regime with funds and legitimacy, despite its record of violence and oppression.

The recent violence in Syria has claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, particularly members of the Alawite minority sect and Christians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported nearly 1,000 civilian deaths in the past week, with many families being targeted in sectarian killings.

Al-Assad called on the U.S. to intervene and support the Syrian people in their quest for a genuine representative democracy. He warned of the potential consequences of allowing an Islamist extremist regime to gain power in Syria, highlighting the threat it could pose to neighboring countries and Europe.

The new constitution signed by al-Sharaa has been criticized for its lack of protection for ethnic communities and its authoritarian provisions. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council rejected the document, calling for a rewrite that reflects genuine national consensus.

In light of these developments, al-Assad urged the international community to keep a close eye on the situation in Syria and to support efforts to establish a government that respects human rights and promotes democracy. The Syrian people, who have endured years of conflict and suffering, deserve a future free from tyranny and extremism.