Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security on behalf of European Union expresses her deep concern about the events of Newroz 2010 in al-Raqqa

International Support Kurds in Syria Association – SKS reported on the news relating to Newroz 2010, in al-Raqqa, and wrote to British Members of the European Parliament [MEPs] about the killing of civilian Kurds by Syrian security forces, focussing the abuse of basic human rights of Kurdish people in Syria.

Glenis Willmott, Leader of the Parliamentary Group of the British Labour Party in the European Parliament sent the SKS letter to Catherine Ashton, High Representative for EU Foreign and Security Policy.
SKS wrote also to Emma McClarkin, an MEP for the British Conservative Party in the European Union who sent the SKS letter to the European Commission. Mr Fule replied on behalf of the EU Commission (25 May 2010) that the EU is very concerned by the situation of Kurds in Syria, and said that events in Syria are being closely monitored by the EU. Read more

EU Association Agreeement with Syria – waiting to be concluded

ARTICLE 1
1. An Association is hereby established between the Community and its Member States, on the one part, and Syria, on the other part.
2. The aims of this Agreement are:
(a) to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the Parties, allowing the development of close political relations in all fields they consider to be of interest to such dialogue;
(b) to establish the conditions for the progressive liberalisation of trade in goods, services and capital;
(c) to develop exchanges and foster balanced economic and social relations between the Parties, in particular through dialogue and cooperation intended to enhance the prosperity and economic and social development in Syria;
(d) to encourage cooperation both within a comprehensive Euro-Mediterranean framework and at sub-regional level through integration between Syria and its regional partners; and
(e) to promote cooperation in the economic, social, cultural and financial fields, as well as other areas which might be of mutual interest.

ARTICLE 2
Respect for the democratic principles and fundamental human rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights shall inspire the domestic and external policies of the Parties and shall constitute an essential element of this Agreement.

Read more… EU Association Agreement with Syria – waiting to be concluded
Brussels, 17 August 2009 [accessed 3 June 2010]

The EU seeks to develop a closer relationship to Syria

The EU seeks to develop a closer relationship to Syria, which would provide for political dialogue, mutually beneficial trade and investment relations, and cooperation on economic, social and democratic reform.

EU-Syria relations are governed by a Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977. Syria is a signatory of the 1995 Barcelona Declaration and a member of the Union for the Mediterranean. Syria is also a member of the European Neighbourhood Policy, but does not yet benefit from all its instruments and incentives, pending entry into force of the Association Agreement. Read more

SKS raises issues for UN and UK, EU and USA Governments in relation to Kurds in Syria

Following the killing of three Kurds, and injuring of forty-one Newroz revellers in the Kurdish area in Syria on 21 March 2010:

SKS calls in the United Nations to

• conduct an enquiry into today’s Newroz events. Read more

Syria: Repression Grows as Europe, US Avoid Discussing Rights

Envoy Should Use Visit to Condemn Harassment, Detention of Activists, Journalists

(New York, March 11, 2010) – Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign relations chief, should raise human rights concerns with Syrian officials during her visit next week and seek specific commitments to improve their record, Human Rights Watch said today. So far, the increased Western engagement with Syria has not resulted in any human rights gains because the US and Europe have failed to press the issue, Human Rights Watch said.

In the last three months, as Western officials reached out to Syria, its security services have detained numerous human rights activists, journalists, and students who tried to exercise their rights to free expression and assembly. In February alone, Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns have visited Damascus.

“As the last few months have demonstrated, talking to Syria without putting its rights record on the table emboldens the government to believe that it can do whatever it wants to its people, without consequence,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “A message to Syria that says ‘We only care about your external affairs’ is a green light for repression.” Read more