Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul and Aqrah Najib Mikhael Moussa: Decisions to return the property of Christians are only nominal

ERBIL — In comments to Rudaw, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul and Aqrah, Najib Mikhael Moussa, denounced the continuous violations of the property rights of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in Iraq.

“The infringements on the property of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in Iraq are not new or hidden from anyone,” the Archbishop stated. “It is known that whoever is absent from their land is being exploited.”

Many people are circulating the idea that the Nineveh Plains is a disputed area, he said, but the truth is that the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people and their property are the targets of attempts at displacement and ethnic cleansing.

Archbishop Moussa stressed the need for all ethnic groups to respect one another and avoid selfishness that will drive minority groups to emigrate.

He pointed out that there is no justification to belittle minorities or their role in Iraqi society.

“Iraq is a homeland for all equally, and it is the responsibility of governments to respect the rights of all peoples,” the Archbishop stated. He remarked that the governments of Baghdad and Erbil continue to commit abuses against the property of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people.

“The Kurdistan Regional Government has pledged to return dozens of properties to their rightful Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian owners but have yet to enforce its decision. The decisions have so far remained on paper due to some parties that impede the implementation of the decisions issued by the courts,” he stated. “They seek to plunder our people’s property.”

These attempts at demographic change are unacceptable, especially against the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people, who have been rooted for thousands of years in Iraq, stated the archbishop. He hopes that the new government in Baghdad will take strict measures to protect the peaceful existence of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people and preserve coexistence among the ethnic groups of Iraq.