ECLJ Warns of Threats to Christian Survival in Post-Assad Syria

The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) has issued a report expressing concern over the future of Christianity in Syria following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government in December 2024. While the current administration, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, initially pledged to build an inclusive state, the ECLJ argues that ongoing instability and the presence of uncontrolled armed groups make this goal difficult to achieve. The organization highlighted recent sectarian violence, including massacres and clashes between various ethnic and religious factions, as evidence of the fragile security environment.

According to the ECLJ, Syria’s Christian population has declined significantly from approximately two million before the civil war to between 300,000 and 500,000 today. The report notes that remaining Christians face increasing social pressure, including the Islamization of public policies and school curricula, as well as restrictions on alcohol. Furthermore, the ECLJ criticized the current government's lack of inclusivity, pointing to the appointment of one-third of the parliament by the president as a source of political tension. The organization called for impartial justice regarding past atrocities and emphasized that Christians seek equal participation in national life rather than special status.