One year has passed since the terrorist attack on Mor Eliya Church in Damascus on 22 June 2025, in which 26 innocent people lost their lives and dozens more were injured. On this solemn anniversary, we honour the memory of the victims and express our deepest solidarity with the wounded, their families, and all those who continue to live with the consequences of that tragedy.
The attack on Mor Eliya Church was not only an assault on a place of worship but also a reminder of the security challenges that continue to affect many communities in Syria. Places where people gather to pray and seek peace must remain protected under all circumstances. The protection of religious freedom and the safety of all civilians are fundamental responsibilities of every state.
Although a year has passed, the consequences of the attack remain visible. Families continue to mourn their loved ones, children have lost parents, and an entire community still carries the burden of that day. These wounds cannot be measured solely by the number of victims but also by their long-term impact on society and on people’s confidence in their future.
As the European Syriac Union (ESU), we continue to underline the importance of ensuring effective protection for the Syriac people and all other Christian communities throughout Syria. Beyond physical security, this also includes equal citizenship, legal protection, political participation, and the ability to preserve their language, culture, and historical presence in their ancestral homeland.
For decades, Syria’s diverse communities have endured war, terrorism, forced displacement, and discrimination. Rebuilding the country therefore requires more than the reconstruction of infrastructure. It requires rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions and creating a political order in which every community can participate on an equal footing.
The future of Syria will ultimately depend on whether all its peoples—including Syriacs, Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, and all religious communities—can live together under the protection of the law, with equal rights and equal responsibilities. Democracy, the rule of law, pluralism, and respect for diversity are indispensable foundations for achieving lasting stability.
As discussions continue in Europe regarding the future of Syrian refugees and the possibility of returns, it is essential that political decisions be based on the realities on the ground rather than on assumptions. Sustainable return policies require objective indicators that demonstrate whether Syria is developing into a country where all citizens can live safely and with dignity.
In this regard, the situation of the Syriac people provides an important benchmark. As one of Syria’s indigenous peoples and one of its smallest and most vulnerable communities, the conditions under which the Syriacs are able to live offer a meaningful measure of the country’s overall direction. A state is ultimately judged not by how it treats its strongest communities, but by how it protects its weakest.
If the Syriac people are able to live in security, enjoy equal rights, preserve their identity, participate in public life, and look to the future with confidence, this will be a strong indication that Syria is moving towards genuine stability and inclusive governance. Conversely, if these conditions are not guaranteed, serious questions remain regarding the protection of minorities and the long-term sustainability of the country’s political transition.
For this reason, the situation of the Syriacs should be regarded not as a minority issue alone, but as an indicator of the broader success of Syria’s new leadership in building a state based on equal citizenship and the rule of law. It also provides an objective reference point for governments that are assessing the conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
On this first anniversary of the attack on Mor Eliya Church, we remember the 26 victims with deep respect, extend our sincere wishes for recovery to those who were injured, and reaffirm our commitment to a future in which every citizen of Syria can live in security, dignity, and equality before the law.
