From Damascus, Germany’s Foreign Minister Calls for Effective Transitional Justice in Syria
Annalena Baerbock’s statements reflect a German stance supporting Syria’s path towards national reconciliation, with a strong emphasis on respecting Syria's sovereignty and avoiding foreign interferen
March 20, 2025, 6:58 pm

From Damascus, Germany’s Foreign Minister Calls for Effective Transitional Justice in Syria

أنالينا بيربوك والشرع

During her visit to Syria on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged the establishment of effective transitional justice and warned against undermining efforts for internal Syrian reconciliation.

Baerbock stated, "Reconciliation in Syria is now urgently needed to transform the hopes and expectations of the people into reality," calling on "everyone to exercise the utmost restraint and avoid undermining internal Syrian reconciliation."

She pointed out that "foreign intervention in Syria has only brought chaos in the past, and Syria’s future must be decided by the Syrians themselves through their sovereign decision."

The German official also remarked that "the task of the transitional Syrian government under the leadership of Ahmad al-Shar’a will be difficult, and it is essential that there is effective transitional justice in Syria and accountability for the crimes of the Assad regime."

Baerbock explained that "the historic agreement with the Kurds shows that a unified Syria could become a reality." She arrived in Damascus on Thursday from Beirut, marking her second visit since the fall of the previous regime.

Syrian media reported that Baerbock visited the Jobar neighborhood in Damascus and observed the destruction caused by the previous regime's bombing. This visit coincides with the announcement by the German Foreign Ministry, through its envoy to Syria, Stefan Schenck, about the reopening of the German embassy in Damascus after a 13-year closure.

According to the Associated Press, Baerbock is set to hold talks in Damascus with the Syrian interim government and civil society representatives. This visit comes two weeks after deadly clashes in northwestern Syria, which led to the deaths of dozens.

Before leaving Beirut, Baerbock condemned "the targeted killing of civilians," calling it "a horrific crime," adding that these incidents had caused "a massive loss of trust," and she demanded that the Syrian interim government hold the perpetrators accountable for these crimes.

However, Baerbock reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to continuing humanitarian aid to Syria and easing sanctions further, "but only under specific conditions."

The outgoing minister expressed, "A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria, is possible, but it also comes with clear expectations that freedom, security, and opportunities in Syria must apply to all people—women and men, and followers of all ethnicities and religions."

A few days ago, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced that Berlin had committed to providing 300 million euros in aid to Syria.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”