A delegation of Syrian Kurds from the Yekiti Party and the Kurdish Syrian Media Center held an official meeting with members of the Foreign Affairs committee of the European parliament at the parliament building in Brussels.
The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and a statement by Yekiti summarized the main issues that were discussed (Arabic. Ahrar Syria, 5/11/06):
- The Syrian regime in light of the current changes in the ME, as well as matters relating to the democratization of Syria, and the need to pressure the Syrian regime to respect all international treaties and charters concerning human rights to which it is a signatory.
- The cause of the Kurdish people in Syria and the need to provide international guarantees to safeguard their rights within the framework of a democratic Syria.
- The one-year memorial of the assassination of Kurdish cleric Maashouq al-Khaznawi at the hands of the Syrian regime, and the need to form an investigative committee, under the auspices of the European parliament, into the reasons behind his murder and to punish those who committed this terrorist crime.
- Calling on the EU to play a more active role in supporting the mechanisms of democratic action in the Syrian opposition through supporting its organizations, inside and outside Syria.
The delegation also presented a 50-page document detailing their requests and explaining the situation of the Kurds in Syria. It also included a set of proposals for cooperation in order to activate the European role, add pressure on the Syrian regime, and realize the democratic project in the region.