EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren visited Syria from 15 to 16 June 2026, meeting with senior Syrian officials and civil society to discuss transitional justice, humanitarian needs, and human rights reforms. The visit, announced by the European External Action Service on 24 June, followed the High-Level Political Dialogue that reaffirmed the EU's commitment to an inclusive, Syrian-owned transition.
Ollongren met with Foreign Minister Asaad Hasan al-Shaibani, agreeing to prepare the next Day of Dialogue, for which she offered to return later this year. With Justice Minister Dr. Mazhar Al-Wais, she discussed transitional justice expertise and training, and welcomed plans for a National Human Rights Institution. Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattab outlined initiatives including a women's police institute and gender-responsive investigations; Ollongren urged a sustainable solution for students in Sweida facing exam disruptions.
The envoy engaged with the National Commission for Transitional Justice on the draft Law on Transitional Justice, reiterating the EU's principled stance against the death penalty. The National Commission for Missing Persons briefed her on efforts to provide answers to families of missing persons. Five thematic discussions covered hate speech, media freedom, women's rights, humanitarian needs, and mine action. On the International Day against Hate Speech, Ollongren met journalists to discuss combating disinformation and protecting journalists. With UN Women and women leaders, she highlighted the Constitutional Declaration and National Recovery Plan as bases for women's participation. Humanitarian NGOs stressed continued needs amid reconstruction challenges and foreign actor impediments to access. On her first day, Ollongren visited the destroyed Jobar neighbourhood and discussed mine clearance with Syrian and UN mine action services, noting contamination as a major barrier to refugee returns.
"There is a unique window of opportunity as Syria is embarking on a path towards transitional justice and societal reconciliation. My office stands ready to give all the support needed to make this transitional justice process a success." The visit underscores the EU's engagement with Syria's post-conflict transition, balancing support for human rights reforms with practical challenges of reconstruction and humanitarian aid.