Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian delegation continues meetings in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A delegation of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian political parties is continuing its series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., aiming to strengthen their community’s international presence. The delegation has engaged with U.S. officials, international research institutions, and members of Congress to discuss the challenges facing their people in Iraq and the diaspora.

The delegation includes Joseph Sliwa, President of the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union, Yaqub Korkis and Adad Yousif, respectively the Secretary-General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) and the senior official of ADM’s’s political office, and Emmanuel Khoshaba, President of the Assyrian National Party.

Meetings with U.S. and international organizations 

In recent days, the delegation has met with officials from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. They have also held discussions with U.S. Representative Darin LaHood, the Iraq Desk at the U.S. State Department, and representatives from Human Rights Watch.

Addressing political and social challenges

During these meetings, the delegation outlined the political and social struggles of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in Iraq and its diaspora. They highlighted the decline of genuine political partnership, equality, and democracy, particularly regarding the participation of ethnic and religious minorities in governance and decision-making processes.

In its meetings, the delegation emphasized the importance of securing full rights for ethnic communities, ensuring their active role in political, administrative, cultural, and linguistic spheres. They also raised concerns about demographic changes that threaten the long-term survival of their people in their historic homeland.