The European Parliament has adopted a resolution by overwhelming majority calling for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria, following the terrorist attack on the Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus on June 22, which killed 25 people and injured dozens more.
According to Orthodox Times, the resolution strongly condemns all acts of violence against religious and ethnic communities, stressing the heightened vulnerability of Christian groups in Syria and their significant contribution to the region’s cultural and religious heritage.
Parliament expressed particular concern over the role of members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria’s transitional authorities, warning of their negative influence on religious freedom and regional stability.
The resolution calls on Syrian authorities to conduct an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the church attack and other incidents of religious violence, while ensuring the protection of all communities regardless of faith.
MEPs reaffirmed their support for a political transition in Syria based on human rights, urging the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms, the end of impunity, constitutional guarantees for minority representation, and free and fair elections.
The Parliament also called on the European Union to establish a reconstruction fund for Syria, conditional on demonstrable progress in these areas, while maintaining sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violations of religious freedom. Continued efforts to combat Islamist terrorism were also urged.
Source: Orthodox Times
