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Demanding Guarantees for Minorities.. Baerbock: We Will Judge Al-Jolani Through His Actions
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European demands for protecting minority and women's rights emphasize the necessity of implementing a system that ensures political participation for all Syrians
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed doubts about the credibility of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani's promises in statements to German television, emphasizing that Berlin will judge the new administration through its actions, not words.
Baerbock explained that she spoke with al-Jolani "clearly and frankly," pointing to contradictions in signals from his administration, saying: "Sometimes they were full of hope, and other times they carried statements that made me think the experiment might take a wrong turn."
The German minister confirmed that "we cannot fully trust the new administration's statements," explaining that she conveyed her country's position, as she did in the German parliament, that Berlin will judge the new Syrian administration through its actions.
Baerbock emphasized the need to ensure participation of all society segments in the transitional phase, "including religious minorities like Christians, and ethnic minorities like Alawites, Druze, and Kurds," considering women's participation in governance "essential" for supporting the new government.
She added: "When women's rights are trampled, there can be no real freedom in society," pointing to contradicting indicators in this file, where a woman was appointed as central bank governor, versus statements suggesting that "women cannot perform all jobs."
The German minister warned the new administration that "the minds and competencies needed for reconstruction will not return unless their children's safety and freedom are guaranteed," noting that al-Jolani's refusal to shake her hand while shaking her French counterpart's hand reflects "his ideological background."
Baerbock concluded her statements by referring to "serious promises" from the new administration to include women in governance and grant them all their rights, confirming that Berlin "will continue to monitor the situation based on actions, not words."
These developments come a month after the "Military Operations Administration" led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani took control of Damascus on December 8, 2024, and the flee of former Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad, at a time when voices calling for implementing a system that ensures the rights of all components of Syrian society are rising.
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