A conference convened at the European Parliament in Brussels to address the future of Christians in Syria and the existential threats facing their communities, placing a strong emphasis on constitutional guarantees for religious and national rights, equal citizenship, and meaningful political participation.
Titled “The Future of Christians in Syria: Religious Freedom, Political Representation, and Shared Destiny,” the event gathered Syrian political entities, religious leaders, members of the European Parliament, and representatives of European institutions alongside Syriac-Assyrian delegations. Organized by a coalition of European organizations including the European Syriac Union, the conference was hosted by Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen and featured key figures such as Mairead McGuinness, EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Nadine Maenza, Global Religious Freedom Roundtable Co-Chair and former USCIRF Chair.
Delegates examined the security, economic, and living conditions in Syria, detailing how years of conflict, persecution, and forced displacement have jeopardized the survival of Christian communities in their historic homeland. Syrian Levantine National Council President Waddah El-Khoury outlined five primary demands: equal citizenship, the protection of individuals and holy sites, accountability for human rights violations, the safe and dignified return of displaced persons, and genuine political representation. El-Khoury stressed that safeguarding Christians does not mean advocating for a Christian state or special privileges, but rather ensuring their equal rights as partners in rebuilding Syria.
Conference attendees urged that Syria’s future constitutional framework reject sectarian quotas in favor of equal civic rights. They called for direct involvement of all religious and ethnic components in drafting the permanent constitution, forming new political institutions, and managing local governance. Participants emphasized that protecting real estate properties, securing land titles, and restoring worship sites are essential prerequisites to stemming the tide of emigration and enabling refugees to return safely.
Sanhareb Barsoum, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party in Syria, highlighted the ongoing marginalization of Syriac-Assyrians. Barsoum advocated for explicit constitutional recognition of the Syriac-Assyrian national, cultural, and linguistic identity, including declaring Syriac an official language in Syria. He also criticized using Islamic jurisprudence as a primary source of legislation in a multi-confessional nation, arguing that true equality requires a neutral, civic constitutional frame. Echoing this sentiment, Father Vasilios Khamis of the Antiochian Orthodox Church reiterated that Christians seek a civil state grounded in peaceful coexistence and equal citizenship for all Syrians.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
