04/10/2017 4:00 pm
In the aftermath of the last regime change, the Iraqi Christians have been exposed to a continued series of painful attacks. These began with the attacks by Al-Qaida, through those of the Islamic party militias, to gangs belonging to organized crime, and ending with the gangs of ISIS, which forcefully displaced our people from Mosul and the Plain of Nineveh. During this time the successive governments that came to power after 2003 failed to defend and safeguard the Christian component of the Iraqi citizens, and failed to protect their legal rights. This has led to the emigration of many Iraqi Christians. At present, our future does not appear to hold any good for us, nor does it indicate a continuation of Christian existence in this part of the world where Christianity has existed since the first century AD.
Amidst these attacks and the prevailing situation, wherein one crises breeds another, the Christians along with other components of the Iraqi people are the ones who pay the price of religious, sectarian, and political struggles that have weighed heavily on them: killing them, setting them astray, taking their lives and possessions, and bombing and setting on fire their churches and lands.
It is possible to say without any doubt that it is the Christians who continue to be the biggest losers in all of these fights, to which they have never been party and which, if continued, would render our people more intent on emigration, leading to their being wiped out from the surface of this land.
Undoubtedly, we Christians can never forget how our brothers in Kurdistan Region, as a people and government, received us and supported our displaced persons, not only Christians but also other components of the Iraqi people. The Kurdistan Region was a safe haven for us during the successive plights that have befallen us since 2003. As such, we are very concerned that this region now remains safe for those who live in it.
We appeal to the conscience of humanity, the international community, the UN and the major powers to intervene and bear their moral and human responsibility to safeguard our people and help them stay and survive on their ancestral land through the following efforts:
Amidst the crisis that the country experiences today following the referendum of Kurdistan Region, we call upon all parties involved to opt for dialogue and moderation and to stop the escalation of the conflict through the media. We call upon them all to make efforts to contain the internal crises between the conflicting politicians through serious dialogue based on the recognition of the other and respecting their rights. Efforts should also be made to overcome all the challenges in a way that makes all as equal partners in preparing secure living conditions, especially when everybody is weary of the ongoing crises and their ramifications, especially the Christians who must not be used any further as fuel for more wars and crises.
We stress that there is no other means to solve the problems of the country other than to seriously and genuinely sit at the table of negotiation for dialogue so that everyone may have their rights. We do not encourage the internationalization of these conflicts and the intervention of others, as the latter will only further complicate things and make the people of Iraq, with all of its ethnic and religious components, destined to further endless conflicts.
We pray to God to lead all to the right path, the path of peace, justice, charity and dignity.
Heads of the Christian Churches in the Kurdistan Region
Archbishop Bashar Warda
Archbishop Neqodemous Dawoud Sharif
Archbishop Apris Jounsen
Bishop Rabban Al Qas
Archbishop Mousa Al Shamane
Sunday, 1 October 2017