Iraq: Beth Nahrain Democratic Party participates in meeting with Chief Observer of EU election mission

IRAQ – Chief Observer of the EU mission to the elections in Iraq Viola von Cramon met on Saturday with leaders of smaller Iraqi components to discuss the election process for the October 10 general Iraqi elections. Among the participants was the Secretary-General of the Beth Nahrain Democratic Party Romeo Hakkari.

The European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission to observe the legislative elections of 10 October, in response to an invitation by the Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq. Chief Observer and Member of European Parliament for the Greens Viola von Cramon visited Iraq for four days to discuss the election process with political leaders, government officials and community leaders and to hear their views and concerns.

Beth Nahrain Democratic Party Secretary-General Romeo Hakkari explained to Chief Observer von Cramon the position of his party and the situation of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people. Hakkari expressed the fear of larger Iraqi blocs exploiting the dire situation of Iraq’s smaller components and hijack the quota seats constitutionally allocated to the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and other peoples of Iraq.

Hakkari elaborated on the situation of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in the Nineveh Plain during and after the reign of terror by Islamic State from 2014 onwards, and which continues after the liberation to this day with repeated displacement, violations, and intimidation to seize their property.

The Secretary-General called on the EU Mission’s Chief Observer to raise the transgression of the rights of his people and other peoples with Iraqi decision-making officials, to support the position, rights, and claims of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and other components. Hakkari also brought forward his desire to have Iraqi election law changed to counter election violations so that the people can choose their true representatives.

#EU4democracy #iraq #iraqvotes #iraqielections pic.twitter.com/j6PpvheBPI

— EU EOM Iraq 2021 (@EUEOMIraq2021) September 20, 2021