Syria – Death of Bassma Kodmani (Mar. 2, 2023)

Bassma Kodmani, a Franco-Syrian political scientist, academic, author and political figure, died on March 2 in France. It was with great sadness that we paid tribute to her memory, her work and her activities on International Women’s Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, students and companions in the fight for democracy.

Ms. Kodmani was resolutely committed to the Syrian uprising from its earliest days in 2011. She worked tirelessly to defend her fellow citizens in an effort to bring Syria out of the deadly spiral it was forced into by the Syrian regime.

Bassma Kodmani was a remarkable woman – a passionate, clear-minded intellectual who was never discouraged by adversity or the complexity of the situation in Syria. Up until her last day, she continued to champion freedom, the rule of law and reason, even as she grew weaker.

Bassma Kodmani’s fight for a free, democratic, inclusive Syria, enriched by the great diversity of its members, will outlive her and will continue to resonate in our commitment to a just and lasting solution in Syria.

Georgia – Law on foreign agents (Mar. 8, 2023)

France joins with the European Union in reiterating the deep concern raised by the law on foreign agents adopted in a first reading by the Georgian Parliament yesterday. This initiative will contribute to discrediting NGOs and media outlets and deals a harsh blow to Georgian democracy. It goes against the Georgian people’s broad support for future European Union membership.

During a meeting with her Georgian counterpart in Munich on February 18, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna called for continuing efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Georgia, which is essential to granting that country EU candidate status. France is prepared to assist Georgia in this regard.

France calls on the Georgian authorities to respect human rights and EU values, particularly the right to peaceful protest. The implementation of the European Commission’s recommendations on human rights, especially in the areas of justice and press freedom, is essential to Georgia’s EU membership prospects.