At a time when the spectre of war and displacement hung over the Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo and the regions of Western Kurdistan (Rojava), a humanitarian and legal initiative emerged from the heart of Europe, serving as a bridge to bring the suffering of an entire people before one of the world’s most important decision-making institutions.
A group of committed young members of the Kurdistani Diaspora Youth Federation in Germany gathered extensive evidence documenting the violations committed against the Kurdish population and submitted it to the European Parliament. Although the official response arrived several months later, its content was so positive and significant that it restored hope to the youth and people of Western Kurdistan, demonstrating that the voices of those seeking justice and human rights can ultimately reach the highest international institutions.
At the beginning of 2026, the humanitarian situation in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods of Aleppo reached a catastrophic and extremely dangerous level. Consecutive attacks by Syrian government forces, involving heavy weapons and drones, caused widespread destruction and displaced nearly 155,000 people, the majority of whom were women, children and elderly civilians. The Martyr Khalid Fajr Hospital, the only medical facility treating the wounded at the time, was completely put out of service following direct bombardment. International organisations also raised alarms, warning that these attacks posed a serious threat of demographic change and ethnic cleansing against the Kurdish population in the region.
During these difficult moments, when despair seemed to overshadow everything, Kurdish youth abroad refused to remain silent.
Shahan Omar Faris, Head of the Kurdistani Diaspora Youth Federation in Germany, proudly recalls this historic initiative. He explained that on 12 January 2026, immediately following the attacks against the Kurds of Western Kurdistan, he met with fellow members of the Federation—including Dr. Viyan Khalil, Lwana Afaf Haj Sheikhmous, Yasmin Murad, and Diljin Baghistani—to discuss how they could act from Europe as a shield for the Kurdish people in Rojava, who were facing attacks by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian government.
The group decided to systematically collect comprehensive evidence documenting the crimes committed against Kurdish civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyah and Aleppo, with the aim of submitting it to the European Parliament and urging European institutions to protect Kurdish rights in Syria.
Accordingly, they submitted an official letter to the European Parliament calling for action against human rights violations and demanding the protection of civilians, particularly the Kurdish population.
The Federation’s letter was not merely a routine correspondence. It constituted a comprehensive legal document based on the Geneva Conventions and the principles of international human rights law. The submission outlined five principal demands:
- An independent international investigation into the crimes committed.
- Immediate protection for Kurdish civilians.
- The imposition of sanctions against those responsible for the violations.
- Support for an inclusive political process with meaningful Kurdish participation.
- Expanded humanitarian assistance for the affected population.
Although the initiative was submitted in January 2026, the European Parliament’s official response arrived nearly six months later, on 8 July 2026, signed by Bogdan Rzońca, Chair of the Committee on Petitions, and addressed to Shahan Faris.
While the response took considerable time to arrive, its substance proved highly encouraging and became a source of renewed hope for Kurdish youth and the people of Western Kurdistan.
In its official reply, the European Parliament acknowledged the significance of the Federation’s submission and confirmed that the matter falls within the competencies of the European Union. Recognising the importance of the case, the Parliament referred the dossier to both the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights for further examination and monitoring.
More importantly, the European Parliament reiterated its strong condemnation of all acts of violence committed against civilians, particularly against the Kurdish population in northern Syria. It described these violations as serious breaches of international human rights law and potential war crimes.
The Parliament further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting and protecting the civil, political and human rights of the Kurdish people in Syria and pledged to continue making every possible effort to safeguard those rights.
The European Parliament’s response, achieved through the dedication and perseverance of a group of committed young Kurds, stands as undeniable evidence that the efforts of the Kurdish diaspora can bring about meaningful international attention and change.
As a result of this initiative, the suffering of the people of Aleppo and Western Kurdistan will not be forgotten or left on the margins of history. Instead, their case has become part of the ongoing human rights agenda within one of Europe’s highest legislative institutions, ensuring that their voices continue to be heard at the international level.