Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have issued a strong condemnation of the violence directed at religious and ethnic communities in Syria, particularly in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias church in Damascus. On July 10, Parliament adopted an emergency resolution concerning Syria, achieving 625 votes in favour, seven against, and 10 abstentions.
In light of the political transition in Syria, which commenced only months ago, MEPs express grave concern over the ongoing attacks on religious and ethnic communities, especially the terrorist incident at the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias church in June, as well as threats directed at other places of worship. The MEPs extend their solidarity to all victims and highlight the particular vulnerabilities faced by Christian communities in the region.
The MEPs also voiced concern regarding the involvement of certain members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), known for serious human rights violations, in the transitional administration, which may pose significant risks to religious freedom.
The resolution calls upon the Syrian authorities to conduct prompt, transparent, and independent investigations into these acts while urging the implementation of measures to suppress violence and ensure accountability for those responsible for these attacks. The MEPs stress the importance of defending freedom of religion and protecting all communities.
Furthermore, they reiterate the EU’s commitment to facilitating a human rights-based political transition in Syria, which may involve a conditional lifting of sanctions. They emphasise that this transition must be accompanied by transitional justice, unwavering action against impunity, and a constitutional guarantee of inclusive governance that provides adequate representation for all religious and ethnic communities. MEPs also request that Syrian transitional authorities give a clear timeline for organising credible, free, fair, and inclusive elections.
The resolution further advocates for the establishment of an EU fund for Syria’s reconstruction, contingent upon demonstrable progress on these priorities, and calls for the Council to impose targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for violating religious freedom. Lastly, MEPs assert that Syrian authorities, along with the EU and its international partners, must maintain their efforts in combating Islamist terrorism.
