German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock (Greens) makes aid for Syria dependent on the respect of women’s rights.
“If women in the future are not safe in Syria, the millions of well-trained men and women from abroad will never return to rebuild their homeland” said the Green politician to the Funke Media Group newspapers (Monday editions). Therefore, it is clear to her: “There will be no EU funding for Islamic structures.” She had made this clear “more than clearly” during her visit to Syria to the leaders of the Islamist HTS militia.
Syria’s new power holder Ahmed al-Scharaa had refused to greet Baerbock with a handshake in Damascus. Later, Baerbock was pixelated in the Syrian Telegram channel “Almharar”. The pictures show Baerbock with the leaders of the transitional government pixelated.
In Syria, it is clear to show just how important a feminist foreign policy is, Baerbock replied. “The more women’s rights are suppressed, the more authoritarian and extremist a society as a whole becomes.” It is therefore important to openly express this, even to the new rulers of Syria. “Who takes away the rights of half the population will hardly respect ethnic and religious groups and can never unlock the country’s economic potential” said Baerbock.