The plight of Iraqi Christians is profound
Cardinal Louis sako
Translation Rabea Allos- Canada
Throughout the last two decades, the Christian community has endured immense suffering as they find themselves vulnerable despite being the original inhabitants of the land. They have become a weakened group due to conflicts based on sectarian differences, the presence of extremist organizations like Al Qaeda and ISIS, unruly militias and criminal gangs, job discrimination, oppressive “Personal Status Law,” and the Islamization of minors. These factors have compelled many Christians to emigrate, resulting in a distressing decline in their population.
Christian places of worship have been specifically targeted, such as the Our Lady of Deliverance church and 80 other churches and monasteries. Numerous clergy members have been abducted and killed. Additionally, organized forced migrations occurred from Mosul and towns in the Nineveh Plain in 2014. Christians have also faced the looting of their belongings by ISIS and even their own neighbors. They have been terrorized, forced to relinquish their homes and properties, or coerced into selling at significantly reduced prices.
Moreover, the parliamentary quota designated for Christians in the Iraqi Parliament has been seized by a particular faction claiming to represent Christians, thereby suppressing their agency and obstructing their progress. The recent violent attack on the head of the Chaldean Church, the largest Christian church in Iraq, is simply a continuation of the ongoing agenda to expel Christians from Iraq and erase their cultural heritage.
It is deeply regrettable that successive governments have failed to address these injustices. Instead, Christians have continued to be marginalized and excluded, leading to an ongoing exodus from the country.
To address these issues, the following suggestions should be presented to the government:
- Organize a conference involving prominent religious leaders, experts, academics, and independent politicians to thoroughly examine the documented accounts of the hardships faced by Christians over the past two decades.
- Ensure genuine protection for Christian regions through the collaboration of the Federal Police and local residents.
- Restore looted properties to their rightful owners and provide financial compensation for the losses incurred.
- Allocate a portion of the national budget specifically for the benefit of Christians and other minority groups.
- Create a favorable environment with incentives to encourage the return of Christian emigrants, particularly those residing in neighboring countries.
- Implement the “Job Compensation Law” effectively; ensuring that when a Christian leaves a job, they are replaced by another Christian.
If the government fails to respond adequately, there remains the option to seek assistance from international human rights organizations and forums.
