The German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, recently visited Damascus alongside her French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, marking the first high-profile European Union diplomatic mission to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The visit, however, highlighted the persistent challenges in engaging with Syria’s new leadership, particularly regarding cultural norms and the status of women.
Images of Baerbock Censored by Syrian Media
During the visit, Syrian media affiliated with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) blurred Baerbock’s image in photos shared on their platforms. The HTS-linked outlet Almharar released four images of the German and French ministers during their meeting with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Scharaa. While Jean-Noël Barrot remained clearly identifiable, Baerbock’s face, along with those of two female interpreters, was obscured.
This act of censorship reflects the deeply conservative stance of HTS, which currently controls large parts of Syria. Although the Qur’an does not explicitly forbid handshakes or physical interactions between men and women, HTS adheres to a strict interpretation, considering such interactions inappropriate.
The incident drew further attention to al-Scharaa’s refusal to shake Baerbock’s hand upon her arrival at the presidential palace. According to religious practices espoused by HTS, such gestures are avoided as they are viewed as potential preludes to “immodesty.”
Gender Equality as a Political Benchmark
Baerbock has made the protection of women’s rights a central condition for normalising EU-Syria relations. During her visit, she stated:
“Women’s rights are a measure of how free a society truly is.”
The German Foreign Minister linked the potential political reset between Europe and Syria to demonstrable improvements in women’s freedoms and overall human rights.
Before the Syrian civil war, the country had a reputation for relatively moderate interpretations of Islamic norms. Even under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, women were not required to wear traditional veils, and Asma al-Assad, the former president’s wife, appeared publicly without a headscarf. In contrast, HTS has imposed stricter Islamic rules in the territories it governs, mirroring practices in ultra-conservative regimes like Afghanistan and Iran.
Syria’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
Ahmed al-Scharaa, the leader of HTS and Syria’s current ruler, has sought to present himself as a reformer. He has renounced his extremist past, abandoned his militant title “Abu Mohammed al-Julani,” and announced plans to dissolve HTS and hold democratic elections within four years.
Despite these gestures, human rights organisations remain sceptical. HTS has faced allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings during its governance in Idlib. Analysts suggest that al-Scharaa’s promises may be an attempt to gain international legitimacy rather than a genuine shift towards democratic governance.
EU Conditions for Reengagement
The European Union continues to tie any easing of sanctions to Syria’s commitment to human rights and democratic reform. The country’s economy, devastated by years of war and international isolation, urgently requires external aid. However, Baerbock emphasised that the EU’s financial support would remain contingent on substantial political and social progress.
Syria’s state-run media, such as the Sana news agency, did not censor Baerbock’s images, contrasting with HTS-affiliated platforms. This discrepancy highlights the ideological divide between the state and Islamist factions within Syria.
Image source: @Almharar
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