21/10/2024

Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian leaders reject results of quota elections in Kurdistan Region of Iraq as marginalization of indigenous communities

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Following the Iraqi Federal Court’s decision to reduce the parliamentary quota of seats for Christians in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), political parties representing the Chaldean–Syriac­–Assyrian community boycotted yesterday’s elections.

Former Iraqi MP and Vice President of the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) Joseph Sliwa, expressed strong opposition to this decision in a statement to Suroyo TV, calling it a continuation of a deliberate campaign of marginalization. He argued that the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people, the original inhabitants of the land, are being politically sidelined by an unjust electoral law. This law, he said, allows other components of the region to vote for quota seats reserved for Christians, thereby co-opting Christian votes for political agendas unrelated to their community’s interests.

Saliwa also criticized the regional authorities for pursuing discriminatory policies, including the seizure of lands and manipulation of history, which have contributed to the emigration of many Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians. He emphasized that the current parliament does not represent these communities, but rather functions as an extension of Kurdish and other interests. The individuals elected in this session under the banner of Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians, according to Saliwa, do not reflect the free will of these people.

Echoing this sentiment, Yalda Khoshaba, an official of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian Popular Council, condemned the reduction of Christian seats to three, arguing that it is disproportionate to the population of Christians in the region, which numbers around 250,000. Khoshaba asserted that the community deserves greater representation in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament.