Sittings · Document

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2798(RSP)) 2025-07-07

On urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria, following the recent terrorist attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Nikolas Farantouris, Özlem Demirel

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

The resolution condemns the terrorist attack on the Mar Elias Church and sectarian violence in Syria, and calls for protection of religious and ethnic communities, a democratic transition, and accountability. It calls on the EU and member states to support inclusive governance, reverse asylum suspensions, and respect international law regarding territorial integrity and agreements.

Key points

  1. Strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias and sectarian violence in Syria, expressing solidarity with victims.
  2. Calls on Syrian transitional authorities to protect religious and ethnic communities, halt sectarian killings, hate speech, forced displacement and abductions, and guarantee non-discriminatory protection.
  3. Reiterates support for a Syrian-led democratic transition centered on rule of law, justice, non-discrimination, inclusive governance, and safeguards against impunity.
  4. Calls for a timeline for credible, free, fair and inclusive elections as soon as possible, and for representation of all communities in public life and a constitutional process integrating all ethnic and religious groups.
  5. Demands an immediate, rigorous, independent and transparent investigation into past and ongoing sectarian violence, with perpetrators brought to justice, and access for independent human rights bodies.
  6. Calls on the EU to draw up a plan for the protection of religious communities in Syria and to stress international law and human rights in relations with the HTS-led government.
  7. Condemns member states' suspension of asylum processing for Syrians, pressure for 'voluntary returns', and review of protection status; calls for immediate reversal.
  8. Firmly condemns territorial incursions and expansionist ambitions of Israel and Turkey, and calls for respect for Syria's internationally recognised borders.
  9. Calls on the EU to prevent the Türkiye-Syria agreement on an EEZ that would violate sovereign rights of EU member states and international law.

Who is affected

  • Religious and ethnic communities in Syria, including Christians, Alawites, and Druze, who face sectarian violence and need protection.
  • Syrian transitional authorities, who are called to protect communities, hold elections, and ensure inclusive governance.
  • EU member states, which are urged to reverse asylum suspensions and respect international law in relations with Syria.
  • Israel and Turkey, whose territorial incursions and expansionist ambitions are condemned.

Figures and deadlines

  • At least 25 people killed and at least 60 injured in the attack on Mar Elias Church on 22 June.
  • Nearly 1,200 civilians, mainly Alawites, killed in coordinated assaults in March.

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.