05/08/2023

Bethnahrin Patriotic Union in Iraq and Assyrian Democratic Movement condemn the security forces silencing of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — Yesterday, a protest was held in Baghdede by archbishops and the five political parties of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in Iraq, as well as a large gathering of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people. However, the security forces prevented reporters and journalists from covering the protest.

The Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) and the Assyrian Democratic Movement issued a joint statement, in which they strongly condemned the security forces closure of the karamlesh and Baghdede entrances.

The two political parties stated that the security forces prevented the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people from participating in the protest, despite the official security permit from authorities of the local government in the Nineveh Governorate.

“The security forces also prevented the reporters from covering protests that reject the policies in the Nineveh Plain practiced by political parties which are supported by some parties of the Iraqi state. The practice demographic change, impose de facto policies, intimidate and threaten citizens, control the economy of the Nineveh Plain and take royalties from the residents,” read the statement.

The two parties called on the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the prime minister of Iraq and the president of the Republic be familiar with these forces’ practices, including silencing and taking away a constitutional right.

They added that this is not the first practice by the security forces against the people, instead of protecting them and guaranteeing their right to practice peaceful demonstration.

The two parties stressed that these serious violations are against the right guaranteed by the Iraqi constitution, indicating that it was necessary to put an end to these groups that are outside the law.

The two parties declared that during the protest, only Iraqi flags and slogans denouncing the de facto policy practiced by these groups were raised.

“We condemn this incident and call on the United Nations Mission in Iraq to be familiar with these illegal and unconstitutional behaviors against the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people,” the statement concluded.