Iraq: Youth MP Sarkis Youkhanna strongly criticizes ongoing violations of minority rights

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In his critical piece, the Youth MP elaborates on the reasons for the marginalization of ethnic peoples in Iraq, particularly in terms of representation in the Iraqi parliament. On the how and who of the representative of minority peoples in Iraq, Youkhanna says; “To achieve national quorum, participation and self-determination, similar to the larger [Arab and Kurdish] components, minorities need real representatives who defend and represent their rights properly.” Because large parties dominate the political process, the reality is quite different from what it should be. These large parties compete to digest minority rights, entitlements, and their fair and legal share of government funds. They steal their parliamentary, legislative, and executive seats.

“This theft and plundering is the result of a culture of disrespect for the other, a lack of patriotism, transparency, and democracy. It is aimed at polishing the shameful image of these parties in the public opinion and for the international community, Because the powerful and leading parties have representatives “embedded” within the minority components, while the opposite is not true,” Youkhanna said.

Sarkis Youkhanna is Baghdad head of Khoyada (“Unity”), a Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian students and youth organization in Iraq. The Iraqi Youth Parliament was established in 2008 and has 250 members. It is not an official state body.