German FM sets conditions for aid to Syria, stresses women’s rights

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has made the provision of aid to Syria under the new authorities contingent on the respect for women’s rights.

Baerbock emphasized the vital role that the safety and equality of women play in the country’s recovery and reconstruction, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

"If women in Syria are not safe, the millions of well-educated men and women who are much needed will never return home from abroad to rebuild the country," Baerbock stated, underscoring the long-term consequences of neglecting women's rights.

The foreign minister framed her position as a matter of "tough realpolitik," acknowledging the complexity of the situation but standing firm on the necessity of upholding women's rights. She reiterated that the European Union (EU) would not direct financial assistance to Syria in support of "Islamist structures," stressing her clear communication with the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on this point.

Baerbock argued that the fight for women’s rights is especially crucial in Syria, where oppressive policies have exacerbated authoritarian tendencies within society. “The more women’s rights are suppressed, the more authoritarian and radicalized society as a whole becomes,” she said.

She further explained that societies that deny half of their population basic rights—such as those who oppress women—are also likely to disregard the rights of ethnic and religious groups, undermining the country’s economic potential. Baerbock’s comments reflect Germany’s broader foreign policy stance on the importance of human rights and democracy in shaping a stable and prosperous Syria.

In her statement, Baerbock reiterated that the EU’s engagement with Syria would be shaped by the protection and advancement of women’s rights, positioning this issue at the core of Germany’s diplomatic strategy in the region.

By Khagan Isayev