Source: European Parliament
The EU has been gravely alarmed by violent incidents that have occurred in Syria over the past few months and has strongly condemned the horrific crimes against civilians.
Such messages were voiced in a series of statements following the coastal violence in March 2025[1], the terrorist attack against Mar Elias Church[2], and the violence in Southern Syria[3].
The EU repeatedly called for transparent, credible and impartial investigations, and for all perpetrators to be held accountable. The EU welcomed a recent Commission of Inquiry report[4] and recognised the work of Syria’s own National Commission for Investigation and Fact-Finding on the March 2025 coastal violence.
In May[5] and June[6] 2025, the EU introduced new listings against human rights violators and will continue monitoring the situation on the ground and the follow up of the commitments of the transitional authorities.
On 23 June 2025, the Council adopted conclusions[7] which recalled that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected for everyone in Syria, without discrimination of any kind, and that women have a fundamental role to play in the new Syria.
The EU continues to call for an immediate end to violence across Syria and remains attentive to the actions of the transitional authorities in ensuring the protection of all Syrians.
Now is imperative to step up dialogue and to promote and advance a truly inclusive and peaceful, Syrian-led transition that guarantees human rights and fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The funding pledged by the EU during the Brussels ninth conference in March 2025, will aim to support a peaceful and inclusive transition and the country’s socioeconomic recovery, while also addressing urgent humanitarian needs, both within Syria and in host communities across Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Türkiye[8].
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/.
- [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/syria-statement-spokesperson-terrorist-attack-mar-elias-church-damascus_en.
- [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/24/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-situation/.
- [4] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/syria-statement-spokesperson-report-independent-international-commission-inquiry-violations-against_en.
- [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202501110.
- [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202501255.
- [7] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/06/23/syria-council-approves-conclusions/.
- [8] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2025/03/17/.