Bethnahrin Patriotic Union holds fifth congress

BETH NAHRIN — Under the slogan “Our National, Humanitarian, Political Struggle is the Hope of Our Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian People”, the BethNahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo d-Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) held its fifth congress on Friday morning with the participation of members from Baghdad, Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk), Ankawa, Mosul, Nohadra (Duhok), and Nineveh Plains.

The congress began by welcoming the Committee of Party Affairs and Political Organizations, the Independent High Commission for Elections, and all attending members.

Head of the HBA Youssef Yacoub Matti delivered a speech by the political bureau of the party in which he explained the stages of the party’s struggle and its patriotic, national, and humanitarian intellectual foundation. Matti  stressed that the party will not compromise these foundations and will always pursue the best interests of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in national and international forums. He emphasized the largest diplomatic political event for the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian,, the 2017 Brussels Conference and its Outputs, in which eight parties representing the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, distinguished social and religious figures, civil society organizations and, parliamentarians  participated.

Matti also spoke about the party’s most important accomplishments and projects between 2003–2020. The HBA will continue to provide as much food, financial, and medical support as possible, in addition to contributing to the rebuilding of a number of residential homes that have been destroyed or damaged by ISIS and revitalizing local communities to provide a future for young people.

After Matti’s speech, the amendments to the internal system and the main paragraphs of the final political report were read out.

The Election Supervisory Committee was then selected, which then opened nominations for executive office membership through a secret vote. Eleven committee members, and two reserve members, were elected.

A brief closing speech concluded the congress and minutes were recorded by the Committee of Party Affairs and Political Organizations.