Press Conference

Syrians warn of unprecedented violence and intimidation against Syrian refugees amid

dangerous regional and European rapprochement efforts with Assad Regime.

Please join us to discuss the dramatic increase in reported cases of xenophobic attacks against Syrian refugees and forced deportations to Syria. The escalating violence risks getting worse if EU states continue in their rapprochement with the Assad regime.

Syrian human rights advocates and legal experts will call on EU member states to protect refugees, and discuss the risks of rapprochement with Assad to millions of refugees in Europe and neighbouring counties.

The press conference follows a series of advocacy meetings between Syrian organizations and EU member states and other states. With attacks on refugees’ lives and properties on the increase, and ongoing atrocities against those who are being forced to return, the groups are urging EU states to commit to International laws in protecting refugees.

Event Date: September 12, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Venue: Press Club Brussels
Address: Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Zoom Registration: This event will also be available via live streaming

A short statement will be followed by a Q&A with the following experts, who will also be available for interviews following the event. Individuals directly affected by the violence will also be available for interviews.

Speakers:

Sawsan Abou Zainedine, CEO of Madaniya: With over a decade of experience as an architect and urban development planner, Abou Zainedine leads Madaniya, a Syrian-led initiative focused on enhancing Syria’s civic space.
Mazen Darwish, Lawyer and General Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM): A Syrian lawyer and human rights defender, Darwish is also Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and a Commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists.
Lubna Kanawati, Feminist and Women’s Rights Activist: Co-Director at Women Now for Development, Kanawati is a prominent voice in the Syrian conflict, advocating against gender-based violence and chemical weapons attacks.

Organizing entities:

Madaniya (UK and France)
Baytna (Belgium)
The Syria Campaign (Germany)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) (France)
Syrian Civil Society Networks Platform (SCNP)Various other Syrian humanitarian and human rights organizations (remaining
anonymous for security reasons)

For inquiries: r.ali@madaniya-csn.org / media@thesyriacampaign.org

Further information:

Human Rights Watch report.

OCHCR’s report.

Syrian Network for Human rights report.