Greek MEP Elena Kountoura (The Left), joined by Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), has called on the EU's foreign policy chief to take concrete diplomatic steps to protect religious minorities in Syria, following a surge in attacks against the Greek Orthodox Christian population in the city of Suqaylabiyah. The parliamentary question, submitted on 9 April 2026, targets the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative, demanding a review of EU sanctions against the Syrian interim government and strict conditionality on humanitarian aid.
The question cites recent incidents of violence, including attacks on schools, churches, and private property, allegedly carried out with tolerance or guidance of forces close to the Syrian regime. Kountoura references a June 2025 bombing at the Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elijah in Damascus, which caused dozens of casualties, as part of a broader pattern of persecution.
Concrete demands and policy direction
whether the High Representative will launch diplomatic initiatives to protect religious minorities; whether she will propose a review of EU sanctions against the Syrian interim government in light of ongoing human rights violations; and whether humanitarian financial support will be made conditional on effective protection of all religious and ethnic minorities, as previously requested by the European Parliament.
one from 12 February 2026 on the situation in Northeast Syria, and another from 10 July 2025 on protecting religious minorities after the Damascus church attack. These resolutions called on Syrian authorities to ensure protection of all communities and stressed that cooperation must be conditional on progress in human rights.
Expected follow-up
The High Representative is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal the EU's policy direction on Syria, particularly regarding sanctions and aid conditionality, and whether the bloc will intensify diplomatic pressure to protect Christian and other minorities.
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