Head of Bethnahrin Patriotic Union Party in Iraq Joseph Sliwa objects to population census mechanism and demands fairness

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Head of the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) Joseph Sliwa commented on population census mechanism in Iraq, indicating that it includes a clear marginalization of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people, the first owners of the land.

In comments to our news desk, Sliwa mentioned the displacement of millions of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people from their native lands to diaspora, for more than a century.

“We are surprised by the marginalization and unreal inclusion of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in the population census,” said Sliwa. “Since 1957, no census has been conducted which we consider a deliberate exclusion.”

Sliwa raised several fundamental points related to the census process, including the absence of the nationality in the card, and focusing only on Kerkheslokh (Kirkuk) as disputed areas, without paying attention to the Nineveh Plain, which is part of the areas of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people.

“We call on the Iraqi government to be fair to the indigenous Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and to conduct a real census that accurately reflects this people actual situation, away from duplication and discrimination,” he added.

Sliwa reiterated his call to the government parties to stop the repression of this people, as well as the exclusion practices that hinder this people presence and fair representation in Iraq.

Sliwa comments come amid a wide controversy regarding the mechanisms adopted in the population census, as well as their impact on the representation of minorities in Iraq.