Europe is faced with a critical choice in its approach to Syria, specifically in regards to normalizing relations with Bashar al-Assad. While some European countries, including Italy and Austria, are calling for such normalization to ease the burden of refugee flows, it is important to consider the implications of such a decision.
The push to normalize relations with al-Assad could have disastrous consequences, especially in terms of refugee return and the stability of Europe. Al-Assad’s regime has committed war crimes, displaced half of the Syrian population, and continues to pose a threat to both the Syrian people and European security. Legitimizing such a regime would only result in more refugees reaching European borders, rather than less.
Syrian refugees are not simply economic migrants who can be convinced to return with promises of aid and reconstruction. Many of them have fled unspeakable violence, torture, and repression at the hands of the al-Assad regime. Any proposal to return refugees to Syria under al-Assad’s rule ignores the harsh reality that these individuals are viewed as enemies by the regime.
The concept of establishing “safe zones” within al-Assad-controlled areas where refugees would be returned is flawed. In Bosnia, the international community declared safe zones only to witness mass atrocities. Similarly, in Syria, safe zones are not safe at all, as violence, arbitrary arrests, and detentions remain rampant in al-Assad-controlled territories.
Normalizing relations with al-Assad would not bring stability to Syria; instead, it would entrench a corrupt and brutal dictatorship that has no interest in meaningful political reform or accountability for war crimes. Al-Assad has relied on external actors like Russia and Iran to maintain power, while refusing to make any concessions despite years of international engagement.
Europe’s strategy towards Syria should prioritize sanctions and diplomatic isolation of the al-Assad regime until there are tangible changes on the ground, including the release of political prisoners and accountability for war crimes. Support for international organizations documenting war crimes and building cases for prosecutions, as well as rejecting the idea of creating safe zones in al-Assad-controlled areas, are crucial steps that Europe must take. Ultimately, Europe must prioritize human rights, justice, and accountability in its approach to Syria.
