Debate and resolution in the European Parliament on the terrorist attack against the Greek Orthodox church in Damascus

A debate on “the urgent need to protect Christian minorities in Syria, in the wake of the recent terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in the outskirts of Damascus,” will take place this evening in the plenary session of the European Parliament.

The scheduling of this special debate, which will also be accompanied by the adoption of an official European Parliament resolution, is an initiative of Elissavet Vozemberg, head of the ND delegation in the European Parliament. It follows a request submitted by ND’s European parliamentary group and supported by the entire European People’s Party (EPP), according to the official announcement.

In the European Parliament Resolution, ND’s Greek MEPs “strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack against Greek Orthodox Christians and call on the Syrian authorities to immediately combat Islamic terrorism, with particular focus on the organization ISIS and all other active terrorist entities,” the announcement continues.

The request by ND’s Greek MEPs follows a question they submitted to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, calling for an immediate EU response and guarantees for the safety of Christian populations in Syria, emphasizing the gravity of the situation in the Middle East and the urgent need for effective protection of civilians and vulnerable communities under the new Syrian regime.

Motion for a Resolution
On the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria, following the recent terrorist attack on the Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus

By: Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Georgios Aftias, Vangelis Meimarakis, Fredis Beleris, Eleonora Meleti, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Dimitris Tsiodras, Sebastião Bugalho, Ingeborg Ter Laak, David McAllister, François-Xavier Bellamy, Andrzej Halicki, Wouter Beke, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Andrey Kovatchev, Tomas Tobé, Tomáš Zdechovský, Davor Ivo Stier, Sander Smit, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Matej Tonin, Massimiliano Salini, Łukasz Kohut, Loránt Vincze, Seán Kelly, Mirosława Nykiel, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Inese Vaidere, Michalis Hadjipantela, Miriam Lexmann
on behalf of the EPP Group
having regard to its previous resolutions on Syria;
having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure;

A. Whereas on 22 June, the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus was targeted in a terrorist attack during the Sunday liturgy, resulting in the deaths of 25 people and over 60 injuries, marking the deadliest attack on Syria’s Christian minority in years;

B. Whereas, according to Syria’s transitional authorities, Daesh (ISIS) was responsible for the attack;

C. Whereas freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right, protected under international law and a cornerstone of democratic societies;

Strongly condemns the heinous suicide attack against the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias and its worshippers in Damascus; expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims; calls on the Syrian authorities to bring those responsible to justice immediately;

Notes that seven months after Bashar al-Assad’s departure, religious and ethnic communities across Syria continue to face threats;

Urges Syrian authorities to take all necessary measures to uphold freedom of religion and protect all communities, including Christians, Shiites, Ismailis, Alawites, Yazidis, Kurds, and Druze from persecution, discrimination, and violence;

Recalls the widespread violence against Alawites in March and the lethal clashes between pro-Assad fighters and Syrian security forces, as well as attacks on various Druze neighborhoods in Damascus;

Draws attention to the vulnerability of Christian communities in Syria — especially the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Chaldean, and Maronite Churches; condemns the ongoing threats against Christian believers and their places of worship, whose protection must be ensured by the authorities; recalls the rich historical heritage of the region, particularly the language and culture of the Arameans, and the significance of Antioch and Damascus as cradles of Christianity;
Urges Syrian